US Open: Angelique Kerber sets sights on world No 1 spot ahead of Caroline Wozniacki semi-final showdown

Kerber crushed Roberta Vinci 7-5, 6-0 to book her place in the last four against Wozniacki, who eased past injured Anastasija Sevastova

Angelique Kerber celebrates after her US Open quarter-final victory over Roberta Vinci (Getty)

World number one hopeful Angelique Kerber will face former world number one Caroline Wozniacki after the German cruised past Italy's Roberta Vinci at the US Open.

Kerber will snatch top spot away from Serena Williams if she equals or betters the American's performance at Flushing Meadows and she turned up the heat with another ruthless victory.

The 28-year-old beat Vinci 7-5 6-0 in Arthur Ashe Stadium and will now face Wozniacki, twice top of the rankings in 2010 and 2011, who overcame an injury-hampered Anastasija Sevastova.

Kerber has enjoyed a superb year, after winning her first major title at the Australian Open before running Williams close in the final at Wimbledon.

Williams must reach the final again in New York to have a chance of holding on to top spot and if she plays Kerber, the American would have to win.

"When I was a kid I was always dreaming to being the number one," Kerber said.

"Let's see. I mean, there are still matches to go. Also, Serena has to play as well very good.

"I'm looking forward to play, first of all, my next match. If the day will come, it will be amazing."

Kerber snatched the first set before powering to a 6-0 second set victory (Getty)

Vinci was the instigator of one of the greatest upsets in tennis history here last year when she beat Williams in the semi-final but the Italian could not manage a repeat.

The 33-year-old served for the opening set but failed to close out as Kerber raced away in the second to secure victory.

"I think the key of the match was the first set," Kerber said. "It was really close and tough. It's always difficult to play against Roberta.

"She's a tough opponent with her slice. I was trying to staying in the match and not thinking that I'm the break down. Just going for it."

Kerber and Wozniacki used to go on holiday together but the pair's tennis careers have moved in opposite directions.

Caroline Wozniacki will face Kerber in the semi-finals (Getty)

While Kerber has become Williams' nearest rival this season, Wozniacki has plummeted to 74th in the rankings, hamstrung by inconsistency on the court and injuries off it.

The Dane, however, has rediscovered her groove in this tournament and says she still draws confidence from her time at the top.

"I think when you're a little kid and you don't know what anything really means, everybody knows what it means to be the best in the world," Wozniacki said.

"It's something that very few people in the world have ever achieved. I mean, how crazy is it to say that you're the best in the world at something?

"It doesn't matter if it's tennis, football, being a lawyer, whatever it is. It's really special."

Wozniacki has dropped to 74th in the rankings but is enjoying her best display since 2014 (Getty)

Wozniacki was favourite to beat Sevastova, ranked 48th in the world and a surprise runner to the quarter-finals, but her task was made easier when the Latvian hurt her ankle.

Sevastova took a nasty tumble at the start of the second game and it was one-way traffic thereafter as Wozniacki strolled to a 6-0 6-2 victory.

"It was affecting my play, but I'm not a person that likes to retire during a match, so I just tried my best," Sevastova said.

In the other quarter-finals, Williams plays fifth seed Simona Halep on Wednesday while 10th seed Karolina Pliskova takes on Croatian Ana Konjuh.

PA