How can Naomi Osaka dethrone Ashleigh Barty as World Number one ?

For the longest of times, many believed Osaka to be deserving of the number one spot and after a long time at the Miami Open she has a chance to clinch it.

The Miami Open had an interesting storyline leading up to it and it was the possibility of the number one ranking exchanging hands. Since the tour restarted in July last year we have had the same number one and it was not until this event that there was a possibility of it changing hands.

So what changed? Well the WTA adjusted its ranking system moving forward which gave Osaka the chance to overtake Barty as World number one after the Miami Open. Osaka would need to reach the Miami final. However, if Barty advances to the semifinals, then Osaka would need to win the title.

As you could have read on our website Barty did in fact reach the semifinal with a victory over Sabalenka last night. That complicates things for Osaka a bit as she needs to win the title while Barty needs to lose in the semifinals.

The Australian has raised her game considerably since the start of the event and looks very good despite saying it was not her best tennis yet. On the other hand, Svitolina has played her best tennis in a long time here so she will be dangerous opposition. The Ukrainian leads the Australian 5-1 in H2H so that makes things interesting as well.

For Osaka, it won't be easy as well to clinch the title as she is playing Sakkari for a spot in the semifinal. If she wins that she will face either Andreescu or Sorribes Tormo in the semifinal with both of them playing very strong tennis right now. It is a tough task for Osaka but not out of reach. What do you think? Who will be the number one after the Miami Open? Tell us below!