Kolkata: With a straight-set victory against Danielle Collins, Newly crowned Australian Open women’s singles champion Ashleigh Barty has kept her hold on the no. 1 position she has held for more than two years.
Barty, who won the French Open in 2019 and Wimbledon the following year, has increased her lead over No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, with French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova jumping one position into third after reaching the quarterfinals for the first time in Australia.
Iga Swiatek of Poland climbed five places to fourth after reaching her first major semifinal outside of clay, while Danielle Collins, 28, climbed 20 places to enter the top ten for the first time following a stunning run to her maiden Grand Slam final.
“It’s been an amazing fortnight for you,” said Barty of the American in her post-match speech after Saturday’s final. “You’re in the top ten and it’s absolutely where you belong. I know you will be fighting for many more of these in the future.”
Despite missing the Australian Open due to deportation for not complying with the country’s strict COVID-19 vaccination guidelines, Novak Djokovic, who has 20 grand slam wins, will retain his No. 1 ranking.
