Tennis fans can look forward to seeing Aryna Sabalenka as the WTA World No. 2 once again, as she is set to overtake Coco Gauff in the rankings on Monday. Sabalenka has had a tough year, with sickness and shoulder pain causing her to miss out on playing at Wimbledon and the Paris Olympics. Gauff's defeat in the early rounds of the Cincinnati and Canadian Opens has also played a role in Sabalenka's ranking rise. Interestingly, Sabalenka and fellow top seed Iga Swiatek spent an impressive 71 weeks as the top two players in the WTA rankings, the most of any pair in the 21st century.
Iga Świątek and Aryna Sabalenka: Dominating the WTA Rankings
In the world of women's tennis, Iga Świątek and Aryna Sabalenka have emerged as consistent top performers, vying for the coveted number one ranking in the WTA (Women's Tennis Association). Their dominance has extended to Grand Slams and other prestigious tournaments, captivating fans with their powerful play.
Aryna Sabalenka's Rise to the Top
Belarusian star Aryna Sabalenka has gradually climbed the WTA rankings over the years. In 2021, she achieved a breakthrough season, winning the Madrid Open and finishing the year ranked second in the world. Her aggressive style, featuring thunderous groundstrokes, earned her the nickname "The Great Sabalenka."
Sabalenka's success continued in 2022, despite setbacks due to illness and injury. Her victories at the Abu Dhabi Open and Italian Open cemented her place among the WTA elite. However, her hopes of competing at Wimbledon and the Olympics were dashed due to these physical issues.
Iga Świątek's Historic Dominance
Polish phenom Iga Świątek has taken the tennis world by storm since her breakout victory at the 2020 French Open. At just 21 years old, she holds three Grand Slam titles (two French Open and one US Open) and has dominated the WTA rankings with a record-breaking winning streak of 37 matches.
Świątek's rise to the top has been marked by her consistency and mental resilience. She combines powerful groundstrokes with an exceptional ability to adapt to different court surfaces and playing styles.
Top 5 FAQs About Iga Świątek and Aryna Sabalenka
Who is currently ranked number one in the WTA?
How many Grand Slam titles has Aryna Sabalenka won?
What is Iga Świątek's longest winning streak?
When did Sabalenka overtake Coco Gauff in the WTA rankings?
How long were Sabalenka and Świątek the top two players in the WTA rankings?
Surpassing the Past
Sabalenka and Świątek's dominance is reminiscent of other legendary WTA rivalries, such as Steffi Graf and Monica Seles in the 1990s, and Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova in the late 2000s. Their consistent performances and incredible athleticism have captivated tennis fans around the globe.
As these two stars continue to push each other to new heights, the future of women's tennis promises to be electrifying and unpredictable.
Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana made history by becoming the second Indian woman to reach 4000 runs in one-day international (ODI) cricket. In a match against Ireland, Mandhana led her team to a successful chase with her explosive batting, adding 41 runs off just 29 balls. She achieved this milestone in 95 innings, making her the third fastest player to do so. Previously, only Mithali Raj had scored over 4000 runs in women's cricket for India. Mandhana's feat also puts her in an elite group of players who have scored 4000 runs in under 100 innings, joining the likes of Belinda Clarke and Meg Lanning. This achievement also highlights the impressive growth and success of women's cricket in India.
In a high-scoring match, opener Pathum Nissanka led the way for Sri Lanka, scoring a quickfire 66 before retiring with an injury. However, he returned later to add crucial runs to the total and help his team post a competitive target of 290-8. Despite a strong start from New Zealand, Sri Lanka's bowlers were able to restrict them to just 150 runs, with seamer Matt Henry claiming four wickets. Sri Lanka's convincing win in the final ODI gave them a series clean sweep after losing the first two matches.
As the search for a new manager continues for Everton, it seems that David Moyes is in talks for a potential return to the club. This comes as the latest development in the FA Cup news conferences, with Moyes being one of many managers speaking about transfers and team news. Other highlights include Amorim's thoughts on Man Utd's transfers and Bentancur's return after a concerning injury. Stay involved with #bbcfootball for all the latest updates.
As the SA20 League 2025 gets underway, it will be a clash of the titans as Durban Super Giants take on Pretoria Capitals, with star players Heinrich Klaasen, Kane Williamson, and Liam Livingstone leading the charge for their teams. Klaasen's destructive batting, Williamson's experience and resilience, and Livingstone's raw power and versatility make them the ultimate game-changers in T20 cricket.
As the January transfer window heats up, Manchester City are looking to bolster their squad with the addition of Abdukodir Khusanov from Lens. This comes after a difficult first half of the season for the Citizens. Meanwhile, rivals Manchester United are also in the market for new players, potentially including striker Marcus Rashford in a swap deal with Napoli. Liverpool, on the other hand, may wait to see how the transfer market unfolds before making any decisions about new signings. Keep up with all the latest transfer news and rumors in our live blog.
The Saudi Pro League is back in action for its new season, with increased global attention and an exciting race for the title. More international stars have joined top teams, such as Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, creating a more competitive league. Indian fans can catch all the action live on Sony Sports channels or through Sony LIV. As the league looks to further expand its global reach, it will be interesting to see how the new season unfolds with multiple teams contending for the title.
In their opening match of the Betway SA20 tournament, Durban's Super Giants put on an impressive performance, thanks to an unbeaten fifth-wicket partnership of 91 in just 41 balls between Kane Williamson and Wiaan Mulder. Despite some heroic bowling from Senuran Muthusamy, who claimed 3/21 in his four overs, the Pretoria Capitals were unable to contain the pair's explosive hitting. This partnership proved to be the turning point in the match, giving the home team a strong advantage and setting a challenging target of 209.
India’s women’s cricket team skipper, Smriti Mandhana expresses disappointment over her team’s fielding performance in the first ODI against Ireland. Despite registering a comfortable victory, Mandhana believes that the team needs to improve in the fielding department and restrict the opposition to lower scores. She also praises the bowling unit for their efforts in challenging conditions and highlights the importance of executing plans in upcoming matches.
In a dominant performance, the Indian women's cricket team defeated Ireland by six wickets in the first match of the three-match series in Rajkot. Despite being without captain Harmanpreet Kaur and bowler Renuka Singh Thakur, India showed no signs of struggle as they dismissed Ireland for just 56 runs. Medium pacer Titas Sadhu and spinner Priya Mishra were the stars of the show, taking three wickets each.
La Liga team Atletico Madrid has criticized the Spanish National Sports Council's decision to allow Barcelona midfielder Dani Olmo to play on a temporary basis after his license had expired. According to the club, this government intervention sets a dangerous precedent and calls into question the rules of the game. Other clubs, including Las Palmas, have also expressed concern about how this decision could impact the integrity of the competition and destabilize professional football in Spain.