Aryna SABALENKA's defeat means WTA Rankings ramifications with Iga SWIATEK and Coco GAUFF benefitting

WTA
Sunday, 24 March 2024 at 15:03
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Aryna Sabalenka was dumped out of the Miami Open by Anhelina Kalinina and has gone from chasing Iga Swiatek for the World No.1 spot to being nearly 3000 points behind if the former seals the title this week in Florida.

Swiatek currently sits on 10,780 points compared to 8,045 of Sabalenka with the counter stopping there for the latter. She was set to be neck and neck with Swiatek going into Doha, but withdrawing from multiple Middle East tournaments that Swiatek went on to win proved to be a decision that was fatal for the Belarusian.

Sabalenka though added points that in reality she wasn't expected to add after the passing of her ex-boyfriend Konstantin Koltsov with the expectation being that she would withdraw from the tournament. But this wasn't the case, she opted to play and won her opening match against Paula Badosa before falling to the Ukrainian.

Swiatek is now assured of at least a 2,735 point gap to her nearest rival. A year that started with the expectation of the World No.1 spot changing hands often has not happened. She could even be 3,670 points behind in the event of a title win. It also hands Swiatek a huge boost. She will be top seed already for the French Open. Swiatek has 1,335 points to defend on her favourite surface, while Sabalenka has 1``,315 in the coming months.

This could see Coco Gauff who is coming over the hill find her way into World No.2. If she wins Miami she will reach a double ranking milestone and usurp Sabalenka. She will also break the 8,000 point barrier and likely be the next challenger for Swiatek as a result. From being neck and neck to far apart, Swiatek doesn't seem to be in the position to be troubled as she heads towards her favoured surface.

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