WTA Race Update: Sabalenka Dominates But Rybakina Bridges Gap After Abu Dhabi Win

Aryna Sabalenka ticked off another week on top of the WTA Race while barely lifting a racket since winning the Australian Open.

The Belarusian star garnered the full 2,000 points on offer in Melbourne and took control of the race after defending her title. Prior to the Australian Open, she was a runner-up in Brisbane, where she received 325 points.

In second spot is the Melbourne runner-up, Qinwen Zheng. Like Sabalenka, the Chinese star has not played a tour-level tournament after departing Australia. However, Zheng will return to action in Doha, where Sabalenka confirmed her absence. The 21-year-old can rise to the top if she wins the Qatar Open.

Elena Rybakina has bridged the gap to the top three, rising to fourth spot. The Kazakh became the second player this season to win two titles. She toppled Daria Kasatkina in the Abu Dhabi final on Sunday. It is impossible for Rybakina to go further than fourth this week.

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However, she could drop down to fifth, especially with Coco Gauff watching her closely. The young American will play her first tournament since Melbourne at the star-studded Qatar Open. Kasatkina jumped five spots into the Top 10 (currently 7th) despite losing her second final of 2024.

Swiatek lost two spots in the race and dropped down to ninth. Her Australian Open conqueror, Linda Noskova, is ahead of her by 20 points. But a lot is expected to change by the end of the week, especially with the Pole putting on her match kit for Doha.

Some of the surprising names in the Top 20 include Anna Kalinskaya (11th), Emma Navarro (14th), and Mirra Andreeva (20th). The race serves as a barometer of consistency among the players as it factors only points accumulated during the season.

The WTA Race will also determine the eight women who will qualify for the 2024 WTA Finals. The tournament still hasn't found a permanent home. Saudi Arabia is reportedly a strong contender to host the WTA's year-end flagship tournament.

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2024 WTA Race as of February 12, 2024: