Rivals Petra Kvitova and Svetlana Kuznetsova hail World No 1 Angelique Kerber

Newly crowned World No 1 Angelique Kerber's reign did not get off to the best of starts at the Wuhan Open as she was shocked by Petra Kvitova in the round of 16. Despite this uncharacteristic defeat, Kerber's rivals have hailed her for her consistency.

Kerber has had a brilliant year so far winning the 2016 Australian Open and US Open titles as well as toppling Serena Williams from the World No 1 spot.

"It is important to win matches and to win important matches. That's what Angie did so great this year. I see many other girls who work so much in the gym but they are not even close to the top 10. She's a fighter on the court, she defends a lot and she's consistent," said Svetlana Kuznetsova as quoted by the Straits Times.

The German has had a 55-15 win loss record this season registering a 78.6% win. Kerber has more wins than any other player in the Women's Tennis Association this season. The 28-year-old has 12 more victories to her name than second-ranked Simona Halep, Agnieszka Radwanska and Dominika Cibulkova.

"She makes her opponents play a few more shots, even if it looks like the rally is over, she still catches the ball. Even if you serve well, you still have to play long rallies. I think that she is very, very solid. She just pushes every (shot) back, and she can find good placement. She's moving and returning well, and physically good as well, so she can play almost forever," added Kvitova.

Kerber will next be seen in action at the 2016 China Open which is scheduled to take place between 1 and 9 October. She is the favourite to clinch her first title at Beijing in the absence of Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova.