Elena Rybakina\u2019s quarter-final exit from the Italian Open has given Aryna Sabalenka a boost at the top of the WTA Rankings.<\/p>\n
Sabalenka<\/a> has been No 1 in the rankings for 82 consecutive weeks with her current stint starting back in October 2024, but Rybakina\u2019s trophies at the Australian Open and Stuttgart Open have helped her to chip away at her rival\u2019s lead.<\/p>\n The Belarusian started the Italian Open with 10,110 points in the rankings with Rybakina 1,555 points adrift in second place on 8,555 while Iga Swiatek was another 1,607 points behind in third place.<\/p>\n Sabalenka then suffered a shock third-round defeat<\/a> at the hands of Sorana Cirstea, resulting in a 150-point loss as she was defending 215 points from her run to the quarter-final 12 months ago with her tally dropping 9,960 points in the Live Rankings.<\/p>\n With Rybakina \u2013 who was defending only 65 points from 2025 \u2013 reaching the quarter-final in Rome, the lead between the top was 1,255 points ahead of the Kazakh star\u2019s match against Elina Svitolina.<\/p>\n WTA News<\/p>\n Italian Open: How Iga Swiatek\u2019s win over Jessica Pegula affects WTA Rankings as Coco Gauff impacted<\/a><\/p>\n Aryna Sabalenka makes 25-word statement after shock early Italian Open exit<\/a><\/p>\n The reigning Australian Open champion had a golden opportunity to put pressure on Sabalenka at the top as a title run at Foro Italico would have resulted in the lead being reduced to a mere 470 points.<\/p>\n But Svitolina was in no mood for charity as the world No 10 produced a stunning comeback<\/a>, beating Rybakina 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 in two hours and 23 minutes to set up a semi-final showdown with Iga Swiatek, who defeated Jessica Pegula.<\/p>\n Rybakina earned 150 points for her run to the quarter-final, putting her on 8,705 points in the Live Rankings with the lead remaining at 1,255 points.<\/p>\n What Is To Come<\/p>\n