Angelique Kerber hammered out a 6-3, 6-2 defeat of Ana Konjuh on Thursday to stay in contention for a return to the top WTA ranking at the Dubai Tennis Championships.

Germany’s double Grand Slam winner from 2016 can take back the top spot from Serena Williams through a title at the Aviation club on Saturday.

The 29-year-old will first have to get by Elina Svitolina, on course for her own breakthrough into a first-time top 10 ranking if she can win the event.

The Ukrainian reached the final four with a 6-0, 6-4 defeat of Lauren Davis.

Kerber has used Dubai as a building block to repair her modest early season form.

“I’m really happy about the match today again. Ana is a tough opponent, she’s going for it. You have to play until the last point. It was nice to get through in two sets.

“I was just focusing on myself and trying to take the rhythm from the last days.

“The match with Svitolina will be another tough one. I have to be aggressive and just like the last days here. I’ll just try to enjoy the next match and of course I will try to go out there and to win another match here.”