2021 in Review December 5, 2021

Photos: The lowest-ranked players to upset a Top 10 opponent in 2021

Take a look at the 10 players who had the lowest rankings (and in one case, no ranking) when they posted a Top 10 victory this season.

Unranked Olivia Gadecki upset World No.4 Sofia Kenin 2-6, 7-6(4), 6-4 in the second round of the Phillip Island Trophy in February. The Aussie became the first unranked teenager to defeat a Top 10 player in 24 years. — 01 /10

Unranked Olivia Gadecki upset World No.4 Sofia Kenin 2-6, 7-6(4), 6-4 in the second round of the Phillip Island Trophy in February. The Aussie became the first unranked teenager to defeat a Top 10 player in 24 years.

Tennis Australia/Natasha Morello

World No.292 Anastasia Gasanova stunned No.6 Karolina Pliskova 6-2, 6-4 in the Abu Dhabi second round during the first week of the season. It was Gasanova's first match against a Top 100 player. — 02 /10

World No.292 Anastasia Gasanova stunned No.6 Karolina Pliskova 6-2, 6-4 in the Abu Dhabi second round during the first week of the season. It was Gasanova's first match against a Top 100 player.

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World No.115 Beatriz Haddad Maia shocked No.3 Karolina Pliskova in the third round of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells 6-3, 7-5. It was the second Top 5 victory of the Brazilian's career. — 03 /10

World No.115 Beatriz Haddad Maia shocked No.3 Karolina Pliskova in the third round of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells 6-3, 7-5. It was the second Top 5 victory of the Brazilian's career.

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World No.113 Vera Zvonareva upset No.10 Petra Kvitova in the second round in Rome 6-4, 3-6, 6-4. It was the first Top 10 win for former World No.2 Zvonareva since 2018. — 04 /10

World No.113 Vera Zvonareva upset No.10 Petra Kvitova in the second round in Rome 6-4, 3-6, 6-4. It was the first Top 10 win for former World No.2 Zvonareva since 2018.

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World No.100 Aliaksandra Sasnovich advanced past No.8 Serena Williams in the first round of Wimbledon when the seven-time champion Williams retired in the opening set with a leg injury. — 05 /10

World No.100 Aliaksandra Sasnovich advanced past No.8 Serena Williams in the first round of Wimbledon when the seven-time champion Williams retired in the opening set with a leg injury.

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World No.94 Kaia Kanepi ended the 15-match winning streak of No.7 Aryna Sabalenka in the second round of the Gippsland Trophy 6-1, 2-6, 6-1. Kanepi would advance all the way to the final. — 06 /10

World No.94 Kaia Kanepi ended the 15-match winning streak of No.7 Aryna Sabalenka in the second round of the Gippsland Trophy 6-1, 2-6, 6-1. Kanepi would advance all the way to the final.

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World No.85 Tamara Zidansek outlasted No.7 Bianca Andreescu 6-7(1), 7-6(6), 9-7 in 3 hours and 20 minutes in the first round of Roland Garros. Zidansek would go on to reach her first Grand Slam semifinal in Paris. — 07 /10

World No.85 Tamara Zidansek outlasted No.7 Bianca Andreescu 6-7(1), 7-6(6), 9-7 in 3 hours and 20 minutes in the first round of Roland Garros. Zidansek would go on to reach her first Grand Slam semifinal in Paris.

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World No.82 Madison Brengle needed just 45 minutes to upset No.6 Sofia Kenin 6-2, 6-4 in the second round of Wimbledon. It was Brengle's fourth career Top 10 victory. — 08 /10

World No.82 Madison Brengle needed just 45 minutes to upset No.6 Sofia Kenin 6-2, 6-4 in the second round of Wimbledon. It was Brengle's fourth career Top 10 victory.

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World No.79 Lauren Davis notched a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 upset of No.4 Sofia Kenin in the second round of the Volvo Car Open in Charleston. Davis needed two-and-a-half hours to collect the third Top 5 win of her career. — 09 /10

World No.79 Lauren Davis notched a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 upset of No.4 Sofia Kenin in the second round of the Volvo Car Open in Charleston. Davis needed two-and-a-half hours to collect the third Top 5 win of her career.

Volvo Car Open/Chris Smith

World No.76 Jil Teichmann grabbed two Top 10 wins en route to the Western & Southern Open final in Cincinnati. She beat No.2 Naomi Osaka in the third round and No.4 Karolina Pliskova in the semifinals. — 10 /10

World No.76 Jil Teichmann grabbed two Top 10 wins en route to the Western & Southern Open final in Cincinnati. She beat No.2 Naomi Osaka in the third round and No.4 Karolina Pliskova in the semifinals.

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