10 WTA stars knocking on the door of the top 10 — from Eala to Jovic
WTAFriday, 14 August 2026 at 14:30
The WTA top 10 rankings remain one of the clearest measures of success in women's tennis, but several players outside the elite are already producing top-10 level tennis. From established contenders making another push toward the biggest tournaments to rising stars rapidly climbing the rankings, the next breakthrough could come sooner than expected.
Players such as Alex Eala, Marta Kostyuk, Diana Shnaider or Iva Jovic have all shown they can compete with top opposition and make deep runs on the WTA Tour. With the 2026 season entering a crucial stage, these are 10 WTA players yet to reach the top 10 who are already playing like they belong among the world's best.
The WTA top 10 could look very different by the end of 2026. Marta Kostyuk has already climbed to No.11, while Alexandra Eala has emerged as one of the biggest breakout stars on tour and Iva Jovic is making an equally rapid rise as an 18-year-old. But they aren't the only players knocking on the door. The players below have been selected based on their current ranking, recent form, results against elite opposition, age and the opportunities they have remaining during the 2026 season.
Why they could break through - players to watch
| Player | Ranking | Why they could break through |
| Marta Kostyuk | No.11 | Two titles, RG & Wimbledon SFs |
| Diana Shnaider | No.17 | RG SF + beat Sabalenka |
| Iva Jovic | No.16 | 18 years old + two Top 10 wins |
| Sorana Cirstea | No.18 | Career-best season at 36 |
| Alexandra Eala | No.20 | Nine Top 10 wins |
| Anna Kalinskaya | No.21 | Career-high No.11 |
| Maja Chwalinska | No.22 | RG finalist |
| Anastasia Potapova | No.27 | Nine Top 10 wins |
| Leylah Fernandez | No.34 | Former US Open finalist |
| Sara Bejlek | No.38 | WTA 500 champion |
1. Marta Kostyuk (No. 11)
The Ukrainian is only a few steps away from making her long-awaited top-10 debut after recently reaching a career-high world No. 11. While there is still a significant points gap to close before joining the elite group, the North American hard-court swing could provide the perfect opportunity. Kostyuk, who won her first WTA 1000 title earlier this season, has been one of the most consistent players of 2026, compiling a 27-6 record and already lifting two trophies.
Kostyuk looks close not only to entering the top 10, but also to making a serious breakthrough at Grand Slam level after reaching consecutive semifinals at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. The 24-year-old is also firmly in the race for a place at the WTA Finals, currently sitting ninth in the Race, making the North American swing a crucial stretch in what could become the best season of her career.
Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine poses with the trophy after her victory over Andreeva in the women's singles final during the Mutua Madrid Open
2. Diana Shnaider (No. 17)
Shnaider came close to the top 10 a year ago when she climbed to world No. 11, but she was unable to break through and gradually slipped down the rankings as she struggled to defend points. The Russian has reinvented herself over the past year, and at 22 she has rediscovered consistency while becoming a far more dangerous opponent for the biggest names on tour.
Her recent Roland Garros campaign, where she reached her first Grand Slam semifinal after defeating world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the quarterfinals, confirmed that she belongs on the biggest stages. She followed that with another strong showing at the Canadian Open, reaching the quarterfinals, and still has several major opportunities left in 2026, including three WTA 1000 events and the US Open.
Diana Shnaider at Gazprom exhibition
3. Iva Jovic (No. 16)
Jovic had already shown glimpses of her enormous potential in 2025, earning wins in Grand Slam and WTA 1000 events before ending the season with her first WTA title at the Guadalajara Open. This year she broke into the top 30 for the first time and has quickly established herself as a seeded player at the biggest tournaments despite being only 18 years old.
The American teenager is widely viewed as one of the country’s brightest hopes for the next decade, and her rise still appears to have plenty of room to continue. She reached her first Grand Slam quarterfinal at the Australian Open earlier this season and has already recorded two victories over top-10 opponents in 2026. Returning home for Cincinnati and the US Open, Jovic may only need one more deep run to put herself firmly in the top-10 conversation.
Jovic a shining light.
4. Sorana Cirstea (No. 18)
The most experienced player on this list is also perhaps the most surprising. It is unusual to discuss a player who has spent nearly two decades on tour as a potential first-time top-10 debutant, especially during what she has announced will be the final season of her career. Yet Cirstea has produced the best tennis of her career in 2026, breaking into the top 20 for the first time and reaching the Roland Garros quarterfinals and the Rome semifinals.
Whether Cirstea ultimately follows through with her retirement plans remains to be seen, but the possibility of a top-10 breakthrough is suddenly very real. She is currently No. 14 in the Race and has relatively few points to defend over the remainder of the season. Another deep run at the US Open or a strong finish to the year could make the remarkable dream of ending her career inside the top 10 a genuine possibility.
Sorana Cirstea competing at the 2025 Hong Kong Open
5. Alexandra Eala (No. 20)
Eala has been the breakout star of the past few months and one of the biggest stories on the WTA Tour. Since her breakthrough at the 2025 Miami Open, the Filipina has become one of the crowd favorites wherever she plays, but her recent results have elevated her into the conversation among the Tour’s elite.
Her title at the Washington Open, her first WTA 500 trophy, combined with a strong grass-court swing that included a fourth-round run at Wimbledon and a WTA 125 title in Birmingham, has highlighted the consistency she has found in 2026.
At just 21 years old, Eala already owns nine victories over top-10 players, including six on hard courts, making this stage of the season particularly significant for her. The support she receives in North America and Asia is arguably even stronger than in Europe, and she increasingly looks like one of the new faces of women’s tennis. The US Open, where she was a junior champion, could be the tournament that truly launches her top-10 push.
Eala has been excellent.
6. Anna Kalinskaya (No. 21)
Kalinskaya has spent several seasons hovering around the top of the rankings without quite making the leap into the elite. She reached a career-high No. 11 in 2024 and has remained around the top 20 thanks to consistent deep runs at major tournaments, including quarterfinal appearances at the 2023 Australian Open and 2025 Wimbledon.
Curiously, Kalinskaya is still searching for the first WTA title of her career. That may be the missing piece, as a breakthrough trophy would provide both the confidence and the ranking points needed to make a genuine push for the top 10. She owns 14 career wins over top-10 opponents, proving she has the level to trouble the very best players when she is playing with confidence.
Anna Kalinskaya to hit her peak?
7. Maja Chwalinska (No. 22)
Chwalinska is perhaps the least proven player on this list in terms of sustained consistency, but her remarkable run to the Roland Garros final earlier this season made her impossible to ignore. The Polish left-hander arrived in Paris with little international recognition, then won nine consecutive matches before eventually falling to Mirra Andreeva in the championship match.
Her game is built on variety, angles and intelligent shot placement rather than raw power, making her one of the more unconventional players in the top 30. Injuries disrupted her momentum after Roland Garros, and she suffered early exits at both Wimbledon and the Canadian Open, but she has very few points to defend for the rest of 2026 and into 2027, giving her a significant opportunity to keep climbing.
Maja Chwalinska less proven but one to watch.
8. Leylah Fernandez (No. 34)
Fernandez came close to the top 10 five years ago when she stunned the tennis world by reaching the 2021 US Open final as an 18-year-old. She climbed to No. 13, but lacked the experience at the time to fully establish herself among the elite.
After slipping down the rankings in the following seasons, the Canadian has worked her way back into the upper tier of the WTA Tour. She won her first WTA 500 title last year and, despite failing to defend that trophy in Washington, remains one of the most dangerous floaters in the draw. Still only 23, Fernandez has the experience, shot-making ability and competitive mentality to make another significant leap, particularly heading into the US Open.
Leylah Fernandez to return to her best?
9. Anastasia Potapova (No. 27)
Potapova was once considered one of the brightest prospects of her generation, but injuries and inconsistency prevented her from building on her early success. Now representing Austria, the 25-year-old has enjoyed a strong resurgence in 2026, reaching the final of the Linz Open, the semifinals of the Madrid Open, and the fourth round of Roland Garros.
She has recorded two top-10 victories this season, bringing her career total to nine, including five wins over top-five players. Potapova has rediscovered the aggressive baseline game that made her such a dangerous prospect, and if she can maintain her current level through the hard-court swing, she has a realistic chance of pushing toward the top 10 for the first time.
Anastasia Potapova after beating Elena Rybakina to reach the quarter-finals of the Madrid Open
10. Sara Bejlek (No. 38)
Bejlek is one of the most exciting young talents in women’s tennis. The Czech won the French Open junior doubles title and reached the semifinals of the junior singles event before making a remarkably smooth transition to the professional tour. In her first full WTA season, she has already announced herself with a WTA 500 title in Abu Dhabi, an extraordinary achievement for a 20-year-old.
She has played relatively few tour-level events, making her current ranking all the more impressive. What she still lacks is a deep run at a Grand Slam or WTA 1000 event, but she has several opportunities left in 2026 to make that breakthrough. With very few points to defend until the Abu Dhabi title defense next February, Bejlek may have one of the clearest ranking pathways toward a future top-10 debut.
Who is most likely to break into the top 10?
Most likely: Marta Kostyuk
Biggest threat: Alexandra Eala
Youngest potential: Iva Jovic
Dark horse: Sorana Cirstea
Long-term pick: Sara Bejlek
| Player | Current ranking | Best ranking | Biggest argument |
| Marta Kostyuk | 11 | 11 | Two titles + two Slam SFs |
| Iva Jovic | 16 | 16 | 18 + two Top 10 wins |
| Diana Shnaider | 17 | 11 | Roland Garros SF |
| Sorana Cirstea | 18 | 21 | Career-best season |
| Alexandra Eala | 20 | 20 | Nine Top 10 wins |
| Anna Kalinskaya | 21 | 11 | Has already reached the doorstep |
| Maja Chwalinska | 22 | 22 | Roland Garros finalist |
| Anastasia Potapova | 27 | 21 | Resurgence + Top 10 wins |
| Leylah Fernandez | 34 | 13 | Former Slam finalist |
| Sara Bejlek | 38 | 38 | WTA 500 champion at 20 |
The WTA top 10 has become increasingly difficult to break into, but the gap between the established elite and the chasing pack is narrowing. Kostyuk is already within touching distance, while Eala, Jovic and Shnaider are rapidly building the résumés needed to join her.The bigger question may not be whether these players can reach the top 10, but how many of them can stay there once they do.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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