World No.2 Iga Swiatek has taken a big step toward reclaiming the World No.1 ranking after Aryna Sabalenka’s surprising early exit at the 2025 Qatar Open.
Sabalenka’s Stunning Loss Opens the Door for Swiatek
In a shocking upset, Ekaterina Alexandrova defeated World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(5) battle on Tuesday. The loss came as a major surprise, considering Sabalenka was playing in her first tournament since finishing runner-up at the Australian Open.
With 1,000 ranking points up for grabs in Doha, Swiatek now has a golden opportunity to close the gap in the WTA rankings. If she wins the tournament, she will be just 186 points behind Sabalenka, making the race for World No.1 incredibly tight.
Swiatek Stays Focused Amid Ranking Talk
Despite the potential ranking shift, Swiatek remains unfazed about the numbers.
“Honestly, I try not to look at the rankings, even when I was No.1,” Swiatek said in her post-match interview. “I guess, you know, heavy is the head that wears the crown. Mine was heavy for a long time, and for sure I’ll be fighting now to get back to No.1.”
She also emphasized that rankings don’t define the intense rivalry between her and Sabalenka:
“Me and Aryna are both great players, and it doesn’t matter which number is next to our names.”
Qatar Open: A Tournament of Upsets
Sabalenka’s early exit wasn’t the only shocker in Doha. Other top seeds also fell in the opening rounds:
Coco Gauff (World No.3) was eliminated in her opening match.
Seventh seed Qinwen Zheng lost to Ons Jabeur, who is continuing her strong comeback.
Paula Badosa suffered a straight-set defeat to Amanda Anisimova.
With several top contenders out, Swiatek is now the clear favorite to lift the trophy and inch closer to World No.1.
What’s Next for Swiatek?
Swiatek is set to continue her Qatar Open campaign in the quarter-finals, where she faces a tough challenge against Elena Rybakina. If she wins, the road to World No.1 will be even clearer.
Can Swiatek capitalize on Sabalenka’s early exit and reclaim the top ranking? Stay tuned for more updates from the Qatar Open!