How close is the Belarusian to taking over the top spot now
Iga Swiatek vs Aryna Sabalenka for year-end World No. 1 after US Open 2024
Aryna Sabalenka defeated Jessica Pegula 7-5, 7-5 to win the US Open 2024. It marked her first triumph in New York, and her third Major title in singles.
Her title-winning run won’t lead to a change in her position in the WTA rankings when they’re refreshed on Monday.
Nevertheless, Sabalenka is closing in on the top-ranked Iga Swiatek. When the new rankings are released, the latter will have 10885 points, while the former will have 8716 points.
The Pole does have a considerable lead, though these points are from the past 52 weeks.
Taking a look at the points accumulated this year gives a better idea of where the two stand. Swiatek is still in the lead with 8285 points after the conclusion of the US Open, though Sabalenka is right on her tail, and is only 409 points behind her with 7876 points.
The battle for the No. 1 ranking will play out over the Asian swing, and could culminate at the WTA Finals. Whoever outperforms the other during this time will come out on top to end the year ranked as the numero uno.
Swiatek has concluded the last two years ranked atop the summit.
She will aim to become the first player since Ashleigh Barty to finish the year ranked as the No. 1 player for three years in a row.
Aryna Sabalenka lost to Coco Gauff in last year’s US Open final. However, claiming the World No. 1 ranking was a decent consolation to offset the heartbreaking loss. However, her reign was rather brief, and came to an end after eight weeks.
The battle for the top spot came down to the WTA Finals. Sabalenka faced Swiatek in the semifinals of the year-end championships, and had she beaten the Pole, she would’ve maintained her grip on the top spot.
However, she lost the match, though she still had a shot to retain the No. 1 ranking.
Swiatek still needed to beat Pegula in the final to dislodge Sabalenka from the top. She secured a decisive 6-1, 6-0 win to not only claim the title but also to end her rival’s reign as the top-ranked player. Given how close the two are in terms of ranking points amassed this year, the battle for the top spot could go down to the wire once again.
