Iga Swiatek loses World No. 1 ranking after 75 consecutive weeks following shock exit, Aryna Sabalenka to take over after US Open

Aryna Sabalenka is set to become the new World No. 1 in the wake of Iga Swiatek’s loss to Jelena Ostapenko at the 2023 US Open.

Swiatek faced Ostapenko in the fourth round on Sunday. The Pole, who was looking to defend her title in New York, was beaten by the Latvian 3-6, 6-3, 6-1. This was Ostapenko's fourth straight victory over Swiatek.

Swiatek entered the New York Major with a live ranking of World No. 2 and 7955 points to her name. Current World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka, who is defending her US Open semifinal appearance from 2022, commenced her campaign with a live ranking of World No. 1 and 7966 points to her name.

Iga Swiatek trailed the Belarusian by 11 points in the live rankings going into the tournament. Thus, the condition for Aryna Sabalenka to claim the World No. 1 spot at the US Open was to perform as well as the Pole, so as to have at least an 11-point lead.

With her fourth-round defeat, Swiatek has managed to defend just 240 of her 2000 points, and will thus leave the US Open with a total of 8195 points to her name. Meanwhile, Sabalenka, who has similarly reached the fourth round, is already confirmed to have at least 8206 points.

Thus, regardless of whether the Belarusian makes it to the deep stages in New York, she will leave with a minimum 11-point advantage over the Pole.

Aryna Sabalenka fell short of the No. 1 ranking earlier this year, during the claycourt season as well as during Wimbledon. But now she will finally end Iga Swiatek’s World No. 1 reign, which lasted an impressive 75 consecutive weeks.

The 25-year-old will be crowned the 29th WTA World No. 1 on September 11.

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After replacing Iga Swiatek as World No. 1, Aryna Sabalenka to take on Daria Kasatkina in the 2023 US Open fourth round

Aryna Sabalenka at the 2023 US Open

Aryna Sabalenka, who was a US Open semifinalist in 2021 and 2022, is bidding for the second Grand Slam title of her career at the ongoing event. She won her first Major earlier this year at the 2023 Australian Open.

Sabalenka is also vying for a fourth title this year, having won the Adelaide International 1 and the Madrid Open trophies as well.

Through to the fourth round of the New York Major with victories over Maryna Zanevska, Jodie Burrage and Clara Burel, the World No. 2 will next face Russia’s Daria Kasatkina for a spot in the quarterfinal on Monday.