LADYDRAGON.COM - Caroline Wozniaki ranked number 3 in the world

Wednesday February 03, 2010

Caroline Wozniaki ranked number 3 in the world

The February 1, 2010 Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Rankings were historic for China, as Li Na became the first player from the country to crack the Top 10. Her dramatic run to the semifinals at the Australian Open, which included victories over Caroline Wozniacki and Venus Williams and a narrow defeat to eventual champion Serena Williams, lifted her from No.17 to No.10.

Li, who finished 2009 at No.15 - her previous career-high - also shared some history with countrywoman Zheng Jie, as they are the first two Chinese women to make the final four of the same major. Zheng's showing vaulted her from No.35 all the way to No.20, her first venture into the Top 20 since June 2009 and five spots short of her career-high of No.15. She achieved that in May 2009, and at the time it was the record for highest ranking reached by a Chinese player (tied later in 2009 by Li).

Several other players also made noise on the new rankings with impressive performances in Melbourne. Wozniacki's quarterfinal appearance took her from No.4 to a career-high of No.3, as she traded places with Svetlana Kuznetsova. Samantha Stosur, who reached the round of 16, moved from No.13 to a career-high of No.11, switching spots with Marion Bartoli. Yanina Wickmayer, who dropped a tough three-setter to eventual runner-up Justine Henin in the round of 16, made her Top 15 debut, going from No.16 to No.15. Regina Kulikova won three qualifying matches before losing a three-setter to Barbora Zahlavova Strycova in the first round of the main draw, lifting the Russian from No.104 to No.98 - her Top 100 debut.

Zheng's quarterfinal victim, Maria Kirilenko, did not approach her career-high of No.18, but did make a huge rankings improvement, going from No.58 all the way to No.37 after a fortnight that included a win over Maria Sharapova.

Alisa Kleybanova's quarterfinal showing in doubles, alongside Francesca Schiavone, pushed the Russian from No.13 to No.10 in the doubles rankings - her Top 10 debut.