Sabalenka Increases Lead Over Swiatek as Andreeva Climbs to Sixth in WTA Rankings
Aryna Sabalenka has opened up a lead of more than 2,000 points over Iga Swiatek for the first time in the WTA Rankings. At the same time, young star Mirra Andreeva continues her rise after another impressive two weeks on tour.
World number one Sabalenka began the Indian Wells Open with a 1,091-point advantage over Swiatek, who is ranked second. After the tournament, that lead has grown to 2,231 points.
Swiatek was defending her title at the WTA 1000 event but lost in the semi-finals, which cost her 610 points. Sabalenka reached the final, where she lost to Andreeva, but still gained 350 points.
Sabalenka now has 9,606 ranking points, while Swiatek has 7,375. The gap between them could get even bigger at the upcoming Miami Open and during the clay-court season, where Swiatek has many points to defend.
This week marks Sabalenka’s 30th week as world number one. She is now 16th on the all-time list for most weeks at number one. Angelique Kerber is next on the list with 34 weeks, and Amelie Mauresmo has 39 weeks in 14th place.
In the current rankings, Coco Gauff is in third place, 1,312 points behind Swiatek. Fellow Americans Jessica Pegula and Madison Keys complete the top five.
But the standout player on the WTA Tour right now is Mirra Andreeva. The 17-year-old has won back-to-back WTA 1000 titles, first in Dubai and now at Indian Wells.
Before Dubai in February, Andreeva was ranked 14th with 2,730 points. After winning there, she moved up five places to number nine. Now, after beating Sabalenka in the Indian Wells final, she has climbed to sixth in the world.
