Rybakina set to rise to No. 2 in WTA rankings, overtaking Swiatek

Elena Rybakina’s ascension continues.

Following her 6-1, 7-6 (4) win over Jessica Pegula in the Indian Wells quarterfinals on Thursday, the 26-year-old will transfer up to No. 2 in the PIF WTA Rankings subsequent week, overtaking Iga Swiatek.

It can be a brand new profession excessive for Rybakina, who’s into her second Indian Wells semifinal after successful the BNP Paribas Open in 2023. For Swiatek, who misplaced her quarterfinal match to Elina Svitolina on Thursday, it will likely be the primary time in practically 4 years that the six-time Grand Slam champion will not occupy one of many prime two spots.

Rybakina has been arguably the most popular participant on the WTA Tour Driven by Mercedes-Benz since final October. Then ranked No. 9 in the world, she swept six straight matches — together with a title in Ningbo — to sneak into the WTA Finals, the place she went an ideal 5-0 to declare the title and take home a record-breaking $5.235 million in prize cash.

After the offseason, Rybakina constructed on that momentum by successful the Australian Open, her second profession Grand Slam.

With 4 extra wins on the Indian Wells Tennis Garden this previous week, Rybakina has now improved to 16-3 on the season. She has additionally gained 11 straight matches towards Top 10 opponents.

Next up for Swiatek is Svitolina. They’ve cut up their six profession conferences, although Svitolina gained their lone match on a tough court docket, on the Summer Olympics in Tokyo again in 2021.

They final performed in Madrid final 12 months, a 6-3, 6-4 win for Svitolina.

“I felt when she came back, she’s playing more aggressive and she’s trying to really step in on some shots, put pressure,” Rybakina mentioned. (*2*)articleWidget middle”>