Karolina Pliskova won her biggest title and denied Angelique Kerber the world number one ranking with an emphatic 6-3 6-1 victory in Sunday’s final of the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati.

The 15th-seeded Czech registered her sixth career title and second this year, following a win at Nottingham, with her total demolition of the second-seeded Kerber. Pliskova, who leads the WTA Tour in aces, hammered home seven aces, the last one securing her stunning victory over the 28-year-old German, who had so much on the line.

“Of course I’m disappointed, but still she played a great match and a great tournament and deserved the win,” Kerber said.

Kerber, who committed 32 unforced errors, most coming from her forehand, was on the podium last Sunday accepting the silver medal after falling to Puerto Rico’s Monica Puig in the women’s final at Rio Olympics.

“I’m really tired,” she said. “I played the 11th match in 13 or 14 days. I really enjoyed the week. I really tried my best today, but sometimes you have days when it’s not working so good.

It was the first premier tournament victory for Pliskova.

“Angie played an amazing week and I think the whole year she’s doing a great job,” Pliskova said at the trophy presentation.

“I know she was playing for the world number one. I think you deserve to be No. 1,” she added. “But maybe next time.”