Iga Swiatek will arrive in the Middle East to play two key WTA 1000 events, where she is assured of staying as World No. 1.
Swiatek's task was aided by Aryna Sabalenka's withdrawal from the Qatar Open in Doha. That means the two-time defending champion is expected to remain No. 1 until the last week of February. '
Just 865 points separate Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka, and while the Belaurisan can overhaul that advantage, she is powerless if the Pole wins in Doha again. Coco Gauff maintained a gap between herself and Jessica Pegula.
The 29-year-old Pegula faces a rankings drop for her absence in the Gulf due to a neck injury. Therefore, Elena Rybakina should take over the fourth spot in the coming weeks.
China's Qinwen Zheng recorded a second week inside the world's Top 10. The Australian Open finalist will return to action at next week's Qatar Open. Jelena Ostapenko became the first double champion of 2024 on the WTA Tour.
The Latvian thumped Ekaterina Alexandrova in the Linz final and sits on the cusp of a Top 10 return (11th spot). Although Alexandrova fell short in the final, she re-entered the Top 20. Donna Vekic motored six spots and into the world's Top 30 again (28th) after a semifinal finish in Linz.
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova's resurgence continues to take shape. The Russian veteran climbed eight spots and into the Top 40 (34th) for the first time since returning from a career-threatening knee injury.
Clara Burel has broken into the Top 50 after a fine start to 2024. Having earned a career-best win over Jessica Pegula at the Australian Open, the Frenchwoman soared to a career-high mark of 44th. She was a quarterfinalist in Linz last weekend.
British No. 1 Katie Boulter rose to a career-best ranking of 48th while Lin Zhu dropped to a low of 57th after losing the Hua Hin final (failed to defend her champion's points). The new champion of the Thailand Open is 19-year-old Diana Shnaider, who won her maiden WTA title.
The Russian teenager climbed 35 places to World No. 73 - just 13 spots from her previous career-high ranking. You can visit our dedicated rankings page to check on all your favorite WTA players and their current ranking statuses.
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