WTA Rankings 2019 Update: Sabalenka makes top 10 debut, Serena rises to 11th

Aryna Sabalenka has broken into the Top 10 of the WTA Rankings for the first time in her career following her run to the last 32 of the Australian Open.

While the headlines have been grabbed by Naomi Osaka moving to WTA World No.1 for the first time off the back of her second major title in succession, the 20-year-old Belarusian is newest member of this elite group, in which only Elina Svitolina, the WTA World No.7, was a non-mover.

Sabalenka becomes the third Belarusian to reach the WTA Top 10, joining Natasha Zvereva and Victoria Azarenka. 

The 2018 WTA Newcomer of the Year lifted her career first WTA title at the Connecticut Open (New Haven) last August, and added the biggest title of her career at the 2018 Dongfeng Motor Wuhan Open before making her debut showing at the Hengqin Life WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai in November.

Read more: How all 32 seeds fared at 2019 Australian Open

Meanwhile, Serena Williams moved to the cusp of breaking back into the Top 10 after charging to the quarterfinals in Melbourne. The American has leapt five places in the rankings to WTA World No.11.

Here are the other notable movers following 2019’s first major:

Petra Kvitova (+4, No.6 to No.2): Lost out in a duel for top spot with Osaka in the Melbourne final but is now back at her previous best ranking, which she first attained in 2011.

Karolina Pliskova (+3, No.8 to No.5): After exiting the Top 5 in October 2018, the Czech’s run to last four in Australia means that she is back among the absolute elite.

Wang Qiang (+3, No.21 to No.18): The Chinese has reached a new career-best Ranking, despite losing in the third round in Australia to Anastasija Sevastova.

Danielle Collins (+12, No.35 to No.23): The revelation of Melbourne, Collins has broken new ground by making the Top 30 for the first time after going all the way to the semis at the Australian Open.

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (+12, No.44 to No.32): Enjoyed a terrific run in Australia, which was ended by Collins at the quarterfinal stage. At her highest ranking since September 16, 2018.

Dayana Yastremska (+10, No.57 to No.47): Defeated Samantha Stosur and Carla Suárez Navarro in Australia before falling to Serena Williams. Has broken into the Top 50 for the first time.

Amanda Anisimova (+25, No.87 to No.62): Made it to the last 16 in Australia, stunning Aryna Sabalenka along the way, and the 17-year-old has been rewarded with a new career-best ranking.

Bianca Andreescu (+38, No.106 to No.68): After narrowly losing to Anastasija Sevastova in the second round of the Australian Open, won the Oracle Challenger Series in Newport Beach. The new Canadian No.1.

Kristyna Pliskova (+11, No.101 to No.90): Won through the first round in Melbourne and has jumped back into the Top 100 for the first time this year. 

Timea Bacsinszky (+33, No.145 to No.112): Stunned No.10 seed Daria Kasatkina in Melbourne, where she made the third round.

Iga Swiatek (+37, No.177 to No.140): Powered through the qualifiers at the Australian Open and beat Ana Bogdan in the first round before losing to Camila Giorgi.

Kimberly Birrell (+83, No.240 to No.157): Made the most of her wildcard chance in Melbourne by winning through to the third round, beating No.29 seed Donna Vekic in the process.

Zoe Hives (+47, No.225 to No.178): Defeated Bethanie Mattek-Sands in the first round of the Australian Open before losing a competitive match to Caroline Garcia.

Rebecca Sramkova (+52, No.242 to No.190): Won an ITF title in Andrezieux-Boutheon, France to break back into the Top 200 after an absence of 15 months.

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