Barring late Charleston entry, Iga Swiatek certain to reach 100 weeks as World No.1

Following her reaching the semifinals at the Indian Wells Open, Iga Swiatek is set to achieve another milestone that will see her hold onto the World No.1 ranking for a record number of weeks.

The Polish star defeated former World No.1 Caroline Wozniacki to reach the final 4 at Indian Wells, therefore ensuring a successful defense of her semifinal ranking points from last year's event. Conversely, World No.2 Aryna Sabalenka suffered a shocking loss to American Emma Navarro in the round of 16. This defeat saw the Belarusian, who finished runner-up last year, lose 530 ranking points in her bid to re-claim the World No.1 ranking.

The French Open champion currently has 10,105 points, and could stretch her tally to 10,715 points by the end of this week. Due to her loss, Sabalenka sits with 8,195 points. Due to Swiatek not defending any points at the Miami Open, which begins next week, she will not relinquish her position at the top of the standings this spring. 

Swiatek has been World No.1 for a total of 94 weeks, and she could extend it to 96 weeks by the end of the Miami Open. Even if the Pole doesn't add a substantial number of points in Miami, and then she'll reach 100 weeks on April 22nd, provided Sabalenka does not compete at the Charleston Open, which kicks off on April 1st. The Belarusian has not been announced for the tournament, although she could take a late wild card, which is the only scenario in which she would surpass Swiatek in the rankings.