WTA Race to Riyadh: Krejcikova enters qualification zone and Paolini in top-3 post-Wimbledon

The WTA Race to Riyadh has been updated after the end of Wimbledon. Czech Barbora Krejcikova was the surprise champion following an inconsistent season, achieving her second Grand Slam title, while runner-up Jasmine Paolini once again fell just short of a major trophy.

They were not the only ones benefiting from the end of the grass swing. Kazakhstani Elena Rybakina, despite not fulfilling her title ambitions, clings to second place in the race after reaching the semifinals and has the best chances of qualifying for Riyadh. Additionally, Donna Vekic has left behind an irregular year and takes a notable position in 13th spot.

Krejcikova and Paolini shake up WTA Race to Riyadh 

The WTA Race considers only the points earned by players in 2024 and will determine the 8 qualifiers for the WTA Finals at the end of the season, besides giving an indication of each player's year-end ranking. For now, only Iga Swiatek is assured of a spot in the tournament, having secured her place several weeks ago, thanks to her French Open title and four WTA 1000 titles in 2024, amassing a total of 7,465 points.

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Rybakina holds on to second place with 4,901 points, following three WTA 500 titles and two runner-up finishes. The Kazakhstani boasts a strong 40-8 record in 2024 and, despite several tournament withdrawals, is the most consistent player on the tour after Swiatek, consistently reaching the final rounds in nearly all tournaments she enters.

The third spot in the race is held by 28-year-old Italian Jasmine Paolini, who has failed for the second consecutive time in a Grand Slam final after good runs at the French Open and Wimbledon. Paolini also has a WTA 1000 title, putting her in a strong position to reach the WTA Finals for the first time in her career.

Jasmine Paolini at 2024 Wimbledon.

Further down in the top-5 are Aryna Sabalenka (4,466) and Coco Gauff (3,598). The Belarusian could not compete in the main draw due to an injury, while the American No. 1 only reached the Round of 16, falling to her compatriot Emma Navarro. A bit further back in 6th position is Danielle Collins, who was also defeated in the Round of 16, by none other than eventual champion Krejcikova, who rose to 7th spot.

Krejcikova's appearance in the top-8 of the Race introduces a new contender for a spot in the WTA Finals, considering that most players in advanced positions have maintained their spots for most of the season. This group includes Jelena Ostapenko (currently closing the top-8), Daria Kasatkina, Zheng Qinwen, Emma Navarro, Anna Kalinskaya, Madison Keys, and Marta Kostyuk.

The WTA Race to Riyadh has been updated following the end of Wimbledon. Another name joining the upper echelons is semi-finalist Donna Vekic, now ranked 13th in the Race, who will have clear ambitions of moving closer to the top-10 and potentially securing a place in the WTA Finals if she is able to achieve consistent results in the future.

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2024 WTA Race as of July 15, 2024: