WTA Race Update: Aryna SABALENKA's lead cut by Iga SWIATEK and Elena RYBAKINA after Middle Eastern swing

Aryna Sabalenka's lead at the top of the WTA race has been cut after Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina following the pair's exploits in the Middle Eastern Swing.

Sabalenka won the Australian Open to set the tone at the start of the year and has amassed 2,335 points so far in 2024. But Swiatek has closed that gap after winning the Qatar Open for a third consecutive year, then reaching the semi final in Dubai to stand in third place on 2,020 points.

Above the Pole is Rybakina, who won the title in Abu Dhabi before making the final of the WTA 1000 event in Doha. The Kazakhstani has 2,043 points, just under 300 behind leader Sabalenka.

Meanwhile, Australian Open runner-up Qinwen Zheng (1,710) drops to fourth place, and two-time champion on the Tour in 2024 Jelena Ostapenko makes up the top five on 1,478.

The top eight players at the end of the season qualify for the WTA Finals, which is heavily rumoured to be held in Saudi Arabia this year.

1. Aryna Sabalenka (2,335)

2. Elena Rybakina (2,043)

3. Iga Swiatek (2,020)

4. Qinwen Zheng (1,710)

5. Jelena Ostapenko (1,478)

6. Jasmine Paolini (1,287)

7. Coco Gauff (1,255)

8. Anna Kalinskaya (1,237)

9. Dayana Yastremska (915)

10. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (854)