WTA's No. 1 Ranking Up for Grabs at Australian Open

Serena Williams, Victoria Azarenka, and Maria Sharapova all fight in Melbourne to have the No. 1 ranking after the year's first major.

By Chris Oddo

(January 13, 2013) -- Serena Williams has a golden opportunity to become World No. 1 for the first time since 2010 at the conclusion of the 2013 Australian Open, but Victoria Azarenka and Maria Sharapova are also in the running.

Since Williams relinquished the top spot to Caroline Wozniacki after a 49-week stint at the top in 2010, the WTA’s No. 1 ranking has changed hands six times with four players (Wozniacki, Clijsters, Sharapova and Azarenka) reaching No. 1.

Williams, who has spent 123 total weeks in the WTA's top slot, can guarantee the No. 1 ranking with a trip to the final in Australia, even if Victoria Azarenka or Maria Sharapova win the title.

Azarenka is in her 47th week at No. 1, and will have to reach the final in Melbourne to retain the top spot.

Sharapova, who has spent 21 weeks at No. 1, needs to reach the semifinal round to have a shot at leapfrogging Azarenka.

If all three players lose in the same round, Williams would end the tournament at No. 1 by virtue of points accumulated in 2012, when she won Wimbledon, the Olympic gold, the U.S. Open and the WTA Championships in succession.

Here's a breakdown of the current ranking status of each player:

Stats courtesy of WTA Media

	This Week	B4 Play	R1	R2	R3	R16	QF	SF	F	W
Azarenka	10325	8325	8330	8425	8485	8605	8825	9225	9725	10325
Sharapova	10045	8645	8650	8745	8805	8925	9145	9545	10045	10645
Williams	9750	9470	9475	9570	9630	9750	9970	10370	10870	11470