WTA Race: Swiatek accelerates, Barty leads
In the WTA annual ranking, Iga Swiatek has come somewhat close to the leader Ashleigh Barty with her success at the WTA Tour 1000 tournament in Doha.
by tennisnet.com
last edit:
Mar 01, 2022, 09:04 am
You have to give the WTA one thing: In 2022 it knows how to keep the tension high regarding the venue of its end-of-year tournament. And so there is no "Race to Guadalajara", where the WTA Finals met with broad approval from fans and players last year, but only a "Race to the WTA Finals". Also good.
After the first 1000 event of the year in Doha, there were a few changes within the eight best-placed players - but at the top of the race and in the world rankings is Ashleigh Barty, who took a longer break after triumphing at the Australian Open at the beginning of the year begrudges. However, it can be assumed that Barty will return to Indian Wells. And then tries to defend her title in Miami.
Mugurza not in form yet, Pliskova injured
In the race of the year, however, Iga Swiatek really stepped on the gas with her convincing performances in Doha. The Pole has catapulted herself into second place behind Barty, a respectful distance from Anett Kontaveit, who only allowed her two games in the final in Doha. Australian Open finalist Danielle Collins follows in fourth place, followed by Jelena Ostapenko, one of the positive surprises of the current season.
Garbine Muguruza still has to do a little more. The Spaniard, who won the last major title of the women's tennis year in Guadalajara in 2021 (and in the absence of Barty, who did not want to come to Mexico), is only 20th in the annual ranking despite good preparation for the season. With Karolina Pliskova, who failed in the group phase last year despite two victories, the situation is different: the Czech was unable to play a match this year due to a hand injury.