Breakthrough performances for female tennis players in three major WTA tournaments last week brought about significant changes in the rankings with some gaining career high rankings and others on track to matching their previous highs.
Venus Williams makes a grand return at the world’s top five after winning the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships. Clinching her 40th career title has been phenomenal for the 28-year old. This makes her the 12th player to achieve this feat. Her return to the top five is her first since August 2003.
Meanwhile, Belarusian sensation Victoria Azarenka is on the verge of becoming part of the world’s top 10. After defeating top seed Caroline Wozniacki at the final of the Morgan Keegan Championships and Cellular South Cup in Memphis, her ranking rose from number 14 to number 11.
Others making career high rankings include Estonian Kaia Kanepi, rising from no. 24 to no. 20, Canadian player Aleksandra Wozniak (no. 31 to no. 30), and British player Anne Keothavong (no. 52 to no. 48). Keothavong is making waves in her home country after becoming the first British woman to enter the world’s top 50 since 1993.
On the men’s side, French player Gael Monfils entered the world’s top 10 for the first time after his impressive start of the year. His compatriot, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, also rose one place to number 11 after winning the Open 13 tourney in Marseille, France. Czech player Radek Stepanek gains three ranking points after reaching the Memphis final.
He’s now ranked 16th in the world. Spaniard Tommy Robredo’s second consecutive title win in South America increased his ranking from no. 17 to no. 15.
Making big leaps this week include Juan Monaco of Argentina (no. 67 to no. 56), Christophe Rochus of Belgium (no. 72 to no. 60), Dudi Sela of Israel (no. 86 to no. 65) and former world no. 1 Lleyton Hewitt (no. 103 to no. 78).
