WTA Race Update | Mirra Andreeva, Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina build lead ahead of decisive US Open stretch

Tuesday, 28 July 2026 at 22:00

The WTA Race to the Finals remained largely unchanged this week as the Tour continued its transition toward the North American hard-court swing, with the latest European tournaments offering valuable opportunities for players outside the leading group to collect important points.

Despite not competing this week, Mirra Andreeva, Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina continue to dominate the Race standings thanks to the strength of their campaigns throughout 2026. Their Grand Slam success — Andreeva at Roland Garros, Sabalenka at the Sunshine Double events, and Rybakina at the Australian Open — has created a significant advantage that keeps them ahead of the chasing pack.

The Hamburg Open and Prague Open provided opportunities for several players to improve their positions, with Tamara Korpatsch winning her second career title on home soil after defeating Anna Bondar, while 18-year-old Lilli Tagger captured her first professional trophy by overcoming Daria Snigur in straight sets.

However, the biggest movement in the WTA Race picture once again came from Barbora Krejcikova. The two-time Grand Slam champion extended her winning streak to eight matches over the last two weeks, following her Athens Open triumph with another strong performance in Prague, moving closer to the top 30 of the Race standings and back into the conversation for a possible WTA Finals qualification push.

Andreeva, Sabalenka and Rybakina continue to dominate the WTA Race

The top of the WTA Race remains a three-player battle, with Mirra Andreeva, Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina continuing to separate themselves from the chasing pack.

Andreeva currently leads the standings after a breakthrough season highlighted by her first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros. The teenager has combined major success with remarkable consistency throughout 2026, allowing her to establish herself as one of the leading candidates for the year-end No.1 ranking.

Mirra Andreeva kisses her Roland Garros trophy.

Mirra Andreeva won her first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros, defeating Maja Chwalinska in the final. The 19-year-old Russian remains no. 1 in the 2026 WTA Race.

Sabalenka remains close behind after one of the most dominant starts to a season in recent WTA history. The Belarusian completed the Sunshine Double by winning both Indian Wells and Miami, adding another defining achievement to her career and giving her a huge advantage in the Race standings.

Meanwhile, Rybakina continues to prove that her Australian Open triumph was part of a larger resurgence. The Kazakh star has remained one of the most reliable performers on Tour, consistently producing strong results at major events and keeping herself within reach of the top two.

Even during weeks without competition, the impact of their biggest victories continues to be visible. Grand Slam titles and WTA 1000 success provide a points cushion that makes it extremely difficult for the chasing players to close the gap without producing similarly deep runs.

Krejcikova's resurgence changes the WTA Finals picture

While the top three remain firmly in control, Barbora Krejcikova has become the biggest mover in the Race over the last two weeks.

The Czech star has won eight consecutive matches after capturing the Athens Open title and following it with another impressive run in Prague. The results have completely changed her position in the Race, moving her close to the top 30 and putting her within striking distance of several established contenders.

For a player with two Grand Slam titles already in her career, Krejcikova's rise represents one of the most interesting late-season storylines. Her experience, ability to perform at major tournaments and recent momentum make her one of the most dangerous players outside the current qualification positions.

Swiatek, Kostyuk and Mboko continue chasing the qualification zone

Behind the current qualifiers, the battle remains open with several major names still hoping to make a late push.

Iga Swiatek remains one of the biggest players looking to recover ground before the final months of the season. The former world No.1 is outside the projected WTA Finals places and will likely need a strong North American swing and deep US Open run to return to the elite eight.

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Marta Kostyuk and Victoria Mboko also remain among the strongest challengers. Kostyuk's breakthrough season, highlighted by major tournament success, keeps her close to the qualification battle, while Mboko will need a strong return after losing momentum during recent weeks.

With the Canadian Open, Cincinnati and the US Open approaching, the WTA Race remains far from decided. The leading trio has created separation, but the fight for the remaining places could change quickly once the biggest hard-court tournaments begin.

WTA Race Update, July 28

Stand	Player	Points
1	Mirra Andreeva	4,999
2	Aryna Sabalenka	4,945
3	Elena Rybakina	4,627
4	Karolína Muchová	4,270
5	Elina Svitolina	4,117
6	Jessica Pegula	3,951
7	Linda Nosková	3,674
8	Coco Gauff	3,484
9	Marta Kostyuk	3,275
10	Victoria Mboko	2,393
11	Sorana Cîrstea	2,045
12	Iga Świątek	1,954
13	Iva Jovic	1,862
14	Belinda Bencic	1,852
15	Diana Shnaider	1,686
16	Madison Keys	1,685
17	Elise Mertens	1,600
18	Naomi Osaka	1,528
19	Amanda Anisimova	1,498
20	Anna Kalinskaya	1,491
21	Marie Bouzková	1,490
22	Maja Chwalińska	1,464
23	Anastasia Potapova	1,434
24	Jeļena Ostapenko	1,404
25	Alexandra Eala	1,379
26	Emma Navarro	1,303
27	Jasmine Paolini	1,194
28	Hailey Baptiste	1,153
29	Maria Sakkari	1,098
30	Xinyu Wang	1,038
31	Donna Vekić	996
32	Karolína Plíšková	990
33	Barbora Krejčíková	963
34	Leylah Fernandez	961
35	Sára Bejlek	931
36	Peyton Stearns	894
37	Kimberly Birrell	892
38	Elisabetta Cocciaretto	884
39	Zeynep Sönmez	881
40	Ekaterina Alexandrova	873
41	Jaqueline Cristian	870
42	Clara Tauson	867
43	Katie Boulter	861
44	Ann Li	847
45	Magda Linette	843
46	Janice Tjen	805
47	Cristina Bucșa	803
48	Elena-Gabriela Ruse	801
49	Anna Bondár	779
50	Tamara Korpatsch	776

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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