Battle For No.1: Week 2 Update

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

NEW YORK, NY, USA – As the US Open enters its second week, three runners remain standing in the race for the WTA’s No.1 ranking.

Angelique Kerber is already through to the quarterfinals following her impressive victory over Petra Kvitova. Will Angelique Kerber and reigning No.1 Serena Williams follow her, or will the subplot to the year’s final major take a decisive twist?

Wtatennis.com breaks down the potential scenarios…

Can Kerber Secure No.1 Ranking On Monday?
Angelique Kerber can secure the No.1 ranking on Monday if both Serena Williams and Agnieszka Radwanska lose their fourth-round matches against Yaroslava Shvedova and Ana Konjuh, respectively. If either (or both) advance the race goes on.

Kerber’s next challenge comes in the shape of last year’s finalist, Roberta Vinci, whom she faces in Tuesday’s quarterfinals. If the German clears this hurdle and goes on to reach the final (Caroline Wozniacki and Anastasija Sevastova contest the other bottom half quarterfinal), it would end Radwanska’s hopes of reaching No.1 after the US Open.

Serena Williams has held the No.1 spot for 186 consecutive weeks (since February 13, 2013) but will now need to reach the final in order extend her streak. A potential final with No.2 seed Kerber will not only be for the US Open title, but the No.1 ranking as well. Serena has won all four of her previous encounters with fourth-round opponent Shvedova.

Agnieszka Radwanska still has an outside shot at claiming top spot, but will need to win the title at the US Open to do so. She has a tough path to what would be her first Grand Slam title, facing Konjuh in the last 16, before potential showdowns with first Venus and then Serena Williams to reach the final. As previously mentioned, even if she does successfully run this gauntlet, her chances for becoming No.1 could be dashed if Kerber reaches the final on the other side of the draw.

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