Qinwen Zheng might not have been able to win the Australian Open 2024, but the 21-year-old Chinese star had reasons to cheer for after she made her debut in the top 10 of the WTA rankings. In the last release on Monday, January 29, Zheng jumped 8 places up to No.7 in the rankings.
Zheng became the first Chinese player since 2014 to advance to a Grand Slam final. On Saturday, the youngster lost in straight sets to World No.2 Aryna Sabalenka, who successfully defended her women’s singles title at the Rod Laver Arena.
Sabalenka is second in the rankings and is 865 points shy of the top ranked Iga Swiatek, who failed to advance to the fourth round after losing to Linda Noskova.
Noskova, on the other hand, moved 20 places up to No.30 after advancing to her maiden Grand Slam quarterfinal. Mirra Andreeva took down Ons Jabeur earlier and the 16-year-old sensation jumped 12 places up to No.35 in the rankings.
Elina Svitolina had to retire midway from her fourth round match against Noskova, but she went to No.19 with 2212 points under her belt.
USA’s Coco Gauff, who lost to Sabalenka in the semi-final, and Jessica Pegula moved one place up to No.3 and 4 respectively.
Yastremska, Kalinskaya take giant strides
Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska jumped 64 places to No.29 in the rankings after she finished her Australian Open 2024 campaign in the semi-final.
The 23-year-old made her way into the main draw after taking part in the qualifier. Thereafter, she defeated the likes of Marketa Vondrousova and Victoria Azarenka before losing to runner-up Zheng in the semis.
Russia’s Anna Kalinskaya also made rapid gains and moved 37 places up to No.38 in the rankings. She knocked out 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens and lost to Zheng in the quarterfinal.
