Victoria Azarenka of Belarus on Monday secured the end of year WTA top ranking, finishing the season 550 points ahead of Russian Maria Sharapova.
US star Serena Williams, who beat Sharapova in Sunday’s Masters final, ended the season in third spot, capping a remarkable come-back year after a lengthy time on the sidelines due to a potentially life-threatening blood clot on the lungs.
The only movement of note in the top 20 was a fall from sixth to eighth spot for Czech Petra Kvitova, who saw her Masters challenge wrecked owing to bronchitis.
Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki, though, could still edge into the top 10 from her current 11th spot as she is competing in Sofia from Tuesday, meaning she could move above Marion Bartoli of France, who is not competing in the event.
Azarenka claimed top spot on 10595 points, followed by Sharapova with 10045 points, Williams on 9400, Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska on 7425 and Germany’s Angelique Kerber rounding out the top five on 5550 points.