By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Monday October 7, 2024
Welcome to the Top 20, Mirra Andreeva. The talented 17-year-old hits a milestone in this week’s WTA rankings, and she’s not the only young player on the move. Scroll down for more…
Historical point of Mirra
After reaching her fourth quarter-final of 2024 – all at the WTA 1000 level or higher – 17-year-old Andreeva breaks into the Top 20, ranking 19th.
Andreeva is the youngest player to reach the WTA Top 20 for the first time since Nicole Vaidisova in 2005. She will turn 18 next April 29.
Starodubsteva Top 100
Julia Starodubsteva was one of the biggest stories last week in Beijing as the qualifier powered through to the quarter-finals on her WTA 1000 debut. For her efforts, the 24-year-old, who beat Anna Kalinskaya for her first Top 20 win in the round of 16 in Beijing, it climbs 36 places to number 79.
Muchova closes in Aussie Open Seed
The rapid rise of the former World No. 8 Karolina Muchova continues this week as the 28-year-old climbs a further 18 spots to 31st after reaching the Beijing final. Muchova has played just seven games since returning from wrist surgery this summer. She is 18-6 with finals in Beijing and Palermo and a semifinal at the US Open. She is also 2-0 against the Top 5 after defeating 15-game winning streak Aryna Sabalenkas in the Beijing semifinals.
Zhang Rockets
of China Zhang Shuai snapped her 24-match losing streak and won four straight matches in Beijing to rise 345 places from 595 to 250. She reached the quarterfinals in Beijing and earned a Top-10 win over Emma Navarro in the second round.
Coco returns to the Top 5
Coco Gauffchampion in Beijing, returns to the Top 5, jumping two spots to number 6.
The American, who became the first American woman to win the title in Beijing since Serena Williams in 2013, is now 7-0 lifetime in hard-court finals.
Other notable lifters
Anna Kalinskaya+1 at No.13: A new career high for the Russian after a round of 16 in Beijing. Paula Badosa, +4 to No.15: The former world No.2 is back to No.15 this week.
Donna Vekic+2 at No.18: Vekic is now at a career high.
Paula Badosa+4 at No. 15: Resurgent Badosa was ranked 139th at Roland-Garros.
Magdalena Frech+4 at No.27: Frech makes her Top-30 debut after a trip to the Round of 16 in Beijing.
Naomi Osaka+15 to No.58: Injury stopped the four-time Slam champion in Beijing, but she is up 15 more places.
