WTA Rankings Update: Race for World No.1 spot heats up, Swiatek relieves ranking pressure after title triumph as Raducanu slides

The Canadian Open was the first of a double header of WTA 1000 events which lead directly into the US Open. The North American swing continues to produce some exciting moments and intriguing story lines with a whole bunch of points on the line with players looking to climb the WTA Rankings.

The biggest story comes right at the top with there possibly some movement coming very soon. As Aryna Sabalenka continues to falter, Elena Rybakina finally capitalised in a run to the Canadian Open final. The Belarusian has a lot more points to defend than Rybakina in these upcoming weeks which could leave her vulnerable. For the time being, Sabalenka leads by over 300 points.

American duo Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff stay put with Iga Swiatek the first mover. The champion in Toronto finally found some of her best form at a crucial time. She slots in at fifth with the 1000 points she won, but they are set to be taken off once more due to her defending the Cincinnati Open title triumph from last year. Not out of the woods but much pressure relieved from the Pole. She leapfrogged Mirra Andreeva, Karolina Muchova and Linda Noskova in the process.

There is more movement further down the rankings. Belinda Bencic could not play her quarter-final, but she is now in 12th after gaining a couple of places. Victoria Mboko was stranded on the sidelines and could not defend her title on home soil. The damage is not catastrophic, moving down five places to 17th.

Emma Raducanu has not played a match since the Queen's Club Championship final, in which she lost. She is not getting any time on the court and that has been clearly shown by her slip down the rankings. The brit had previously clambered back into the top 32 for Wimbledon, but has since plummeted down to 59th after losing another 10 positions.

Clara Tauson also dropped down. A semi-finalist from last year, her first round exit in Canada prolongs her poor form with her now languishing in 42nd. A similar situation occurred for Jessica Bouzas Maneiro. The points from the quarter-final showing last time out are gone and she faces the consequences with a 27-place drop to 90th.

There are some winners too who have capitalised on other's struggles and blasted themselves up the order. Liudmila is back in the top 50 thanks to a sharp incline, Taylor Townsend makes a welcoming return to the top 100 as young Russian talent Alina Korneeva reaches a new career high of 75th in the world.

(as per livetennis.eu)