WTA Rankings Update: World No.1 spot up for grabs in New York as Parry and Mertens rise following Monterrey run

There is set to be a lot of change in the WTA Rankings with the US Open underway. However, fans can sit back and enjoy the tennis currently going on in New York with there some change in the rankings ahead of the competition as players get that final bit of preparation.

It was a quiet week for the top players. Elise Mertens is the highest ranked player to make any movement, and that was back into the top 20 following her run to the final of the Abierto GNP Seguros in Monterrey, Mexico.

She would fall at the final hurdle with Diane Parry clinching the first WTA title of her career. 500 points were collected and this resulted in a stark climb. 19 places were gained as she now slits in 31st in the world ahead of a sixth campaign at Flushing Meadows. She is in great form with a top 30 debut on the cards soon.

Semi-finalists Ann Li and Nikola Bartunkova climb to career highs of 28th and 34th in the world respectively. Clara Tauson returns to the top 40 with Magdelena Frech and Katerina Siniakova dropping out of it. Yulia Starodubtseva, Dirja Vidmanova and Alycia Parks also gained some places.

Away from Monterrey, there was a Challenger event going on in Philadelphia. It would be won by the American Katie Volynets who rises 13 places to 78th. She defeated 19-year-old Czech talent Tereza Valentova 6-3, 7-5 to clinch the title, with Valentova also on the rise. She is back in the top 50 after gaining seven places.

If there is one place where change could occur in two weeks following the culmination of the US Open, it may be right at the top of the order. A semi-final or better for Elena Rybakina will seal her spot as World No.1 for the first time in her career, ending a spell of almost 100 weeks for Aryna Sabalenka who is under pressure to defend her title.

Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff are also in the hunt for that coveted number one position, but they will need to win the title and hope results go their way. Iga Swiatek is in form but will still need to go deep to avoid losing a place or two. Amanda Anisimova may exit the top 10 with the final run from last year now under scrutiny with those points up for grabs.

The likes of Naomi Osaka and Barbora Krejcikova are also defending big, the latter having already exited the tournament at the first hurdle and subsequently set to drop out of the top 32.

Opportunity is also calling for a number of other players with there loads of points up for grabs. It is the fourth and final Grand Slam of the year, making it an important one for players to bolster their position in the rankings ahead of a trip to Asia.

(as per livetennis.eu)