the league and came out against the Broncos determined to fix it.

NEW YORK -- When she stepped on the court Thursday night at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Angelique Kerber?already had achieved a childhood dream.When the new WTA rankings come out Monday, the 28-year-old German will be the WTAs No. 1-ranked player. That came courtesy of Karolina Pliskova, who earlier stunned Serena Williams in straight sets.It ended Williams run of 186 consecutive weeks at the top of womens tennis -- leaving her tied, appropriately enough, with another German, Steffi Graf, for the all-time record.How do you play a major semifinal match 20 minutes after youve reached the pinnacle of a sport youve played since the age of 3? It would have been easy to revel in the moment, take a moment to reflect on the wonder of joining a most exclusive peer group that features only 22.Or would the ascension to No. 1 free the left-hander to play a bolder, bigger game?Kerber chose Option 2, controlling Caroline Wozniacki with ease, 6-4, 6-3.In a game featuring two of tennis best defenders, Kerber overpowered the former No. 1 player and two-time US Open finalist. And now, shes into her third major final of the season.I was watching the [first] match a little bit in the end, Kerber admitted in her on-court interview. I was trying to focus and not think too much about that.I think [Graf] will be proud of me to be the next one after her.Kerber becomes, by three years, the oldest player to be ranked No. 1 for the first time; Jennifer Capriati was 25 in 2000. Kerber is the first new No. 1 in four years, going back to Victoria Azarenka.Its just another example of her peculiar powers of perseverance.When the year began, none of this seemed a likely scenario. Kerber finished 2015 ranked No. 10 and had advanced to only one Grand Slam semifinal in 32 career events.But back in January, she found herself in Melbourne, ripping through to the final, where she beat Serena in the seasons first Grand Slam 6-4, 3-6, 6-4. There was a predictable swoon -- Kerber was one and done in Mardrid, Rome and Paris -- before she regained her footing.In the Wimbledon final, Serena returned the favor, beating Kerber 7-5, 6-3.Pliskova was probably the only one who didnt want to see a third Williams-Kerber final this year in a Grand Slam. A single match, with the No. 1 ranking on the line, would have generated a monumental buzz.Instead, Kerber will have to be content with an opportunity to win her second major of the season -- the second of her career -- and lock down WTA Player of the Year honors.What kind of No. 1 will she be?Kerber is polite, generous and carries herself with poise.It says here, shell last longer than Mats Wilander, who held out for only seven weeks in 1988. Or Ana Ivanovic (three weeks in 2008) or Dinara Safina (two weeks in 2009).But there is almost no chance shell reign for 186 consecutive weeks.And that should be the big takeaway here.As well begin to realize in retrospect, Serenas command of the top spot, at the age of 34, was nothing short of amazing.Consider this number, produced by ESPN Stats & Information:In the more than three years she was No. 1, Williams won more titles (24) than lost matches (19).Fun fact: Kerber is the first lefty No. 1 since Monica Seles (1996), and only the third overall, after Martina Navratilova.Against Wozniacki, whose ranking has fallen to No. 74, Kerber was comfortably dominant, winning 65 of 117 points. She broke Wozniackis serve no fewer than five of 10 times.The only sign of nerves? When Kerber tried to serve out the match at 5-2.On match point, Kerbers forehand was called good, but looked out. Wozniacki, for whatever reason, did not challenge. The replay, however, showed the shot was out.Its just incredible, Kerber said. Yeah, its a great day. I just tried to focus on this match.To be in the final, to be No. 1 in the world, it sounds amazing. Clemon Johnson Jersey . -- If this was Aaron Gordons final home game at Arizona, and it almost certainly was, then he went out in style. T. J. Warren Jersey . Dusautoir, the former World Player of the Year, sustained a torn bicep playing for Toulouse in the Heineken Cup on Saturday. The flanker, who has played 65 times for France, is expected to be out for up to four months. https://www.cheappacers.com/1283k-jeremy-lamb-jersey-pacers.html . Colin Wilson had two goals and an assist, and Mike Fisher scored a goal and helped set up two others in the Predators 6-4 victory over the Red Wings on Monday night. Justin Holiday Jersey . JOHNS, N. Fred Jones Jersey .J. -- Marshawn Lynch said Thursday it will be good to get back to football after the Seattle quiet talking running back wrapped up his final mandatory media session of Super Bowl week. CINCINNATI -- Linebacker Vontaze Burfict is back with the Bengals, looking to inject some energy into a team off to its worst start in five years.Burfict was suspended by the NFL for the first three games of the season because of his numerous illegal hits on opponents.His hit to receiver Antonio Browns head drew a penalty that set up Pittsburghs last-minute field goal for an 18-16 playoff win last season.The Bengals have numerous problems to fix, and not much time before the next game. The defending AFC North champions are already two games behind Baltimore and one behind Pittsburgh. Their offense is out of sync and their defense has given up a lot of big plays, both running and passing.The Bengals (1-2) had their defense taken apart during a 29-17 loss to Denver on Sunday, with Trevor Siemian throwing a career-high four touchdown passes. Cincinnati hosts the Dolphins (1-2) on Thursday night.The defense is expecting Burficts return to fix a lot of the problems immediately.Youre going to see a big difference, defensive tackle Domata Peko said on Monday. We got better today with him back.Im super stoked about having No. 55 back. He brings a lot of energy to our guys. Hes got a mean streak to him.That mean streak has repeatedly gotten him in trouble in college and the NFL. The Bengals have tried to get him to keep his high-energy style of play while respecting the rules. So far, it hasnt worked.Asked on Monday if he will change his style in light of his three-game suspension, Burfict said, Why would I change anything?Its not all the defense, which ranks 15th this week. The offense has taken several big steps back from last season and hhasnt gotten into a flow under first-year coordinator Ken Zampese.ddddddddddddThe Bengals had one of the worst running games in the league and came out against the Broncos determined to fix it.Jeremy Hills 50-yard run on Cincinnatis opening series marked a huge breakthrough, and the Bengals piled up 75 yards rushing in the first quarter. The Broncos adjusted, and Cincinnati managed only 68 yards rushing in the last three quarters.Andy Dalton was 21 of 31 for 206 yards, but much of that came in the fourth quarter when the Broncos got up by two touchdowns and allowed short completions to drain the clock.We have a ways to go, and its now gut-check week, Hill said.The Bengals are 1-2 for the first time since 2011, which also is the previous time they lost a home game in September. That season marked the start of their five-year run of playoff appearances and first-round losses.Cincinnati hasnt opened a season 1/3 since 2008, when it finished 4-11-1.Game notes TE Tyler Eifert could return on Thursday night as well. He had offseason surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left ankle and missed all of training camp, the preseason and the first three games. Eifert returned to practice on a limited basis last week. Coach Marvin Lewis indicated there was a chance he could play against the Dolphins. ... Burfict has a roster exemption for practice this week, but could be added to the active roster before the game on Thursday.---Online: AP NFL website www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '