Rankings Roundup: Sharapova and Errani Up, Others Down

By Nick Georgandis

Photo Credit: Getty Images

(June 11, 2012) -- Maria Sharapova returned to the No. 1 spot in the WTA polls for the first time since May of 2008 on Monday, an extra gift from her Roland Garros triumph on Saturday. The title, which also completed the Russian's career Grand Slam, sent her soaring ahead of Victoria Azarenka by more than 600 points. How long Sharapova stays at No. 1 will be largely determined by how well she does at Wimbledon. She has 1400 points to defend there after making the finals in 2011.

The Top 10 saw six position changes in all, none bigger than finalist Sara Errani's surge from 24th to a career-best 10th. Her entrance into the Top 10 saw China's Na Li, the 2011 champion, drop back from seventh to 11th. Semifinalist Samantha Stosur rose to No. 5, one spot ahead of American Serena Williams, while Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki jumped two spots back to No. 7. German Angeqliue Kerber moved up one spot from 10th to No. 9.

Li's fall made the Top 10 significiantly younger, as the 30-year-old was replaced by the 25-year-old Errani. Seven of the current Top 10 players are 25 or younger.

Outside of the Top 10, Dominika Cibulkova, who upset Azarenka in the fourth round, moved up four spots to tie her career-best position of No. 12. Kaia Kanepi, the other surprising quarterfinalist, moved up seven spots to a career-best No. 16.

With the rises came the plunges, notably by 2010 champion and 2011 finalist Francesca Schiavone, who fell in the third round and dropped like a stone - 15 spots to No. 27. Her vanquisher, American Varvara Lepchenko, rose 11 spots to No. 52 by making the fourth round. Nineteen-year-old Amerian Sloane Stephens, who made the fourth round, climbed 13 spots to a career-best No. 57.

The new men's rankings will be posted later on Monday.