By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Monday February 26, 2024
Jasmine Paolini realized a dream over the weekend in Dubai when she claimed her first 1000-level title, defeating Anna Kalinskaya for the title. This week the dream continues as the Italian enters the Top-20 for the first time.
More about this week’s WTA rankings movers and shakers down the page…
Pow! Goes Paolini
There was little movement inside the WTA’s Top-10, but we did see Maria Sakkari reclaim her spot in the elite club, rising from No.11 to No.9 just one week after falling out of the Top 10 for the first time since September of 2021.
The biggest move inside the Top 20 was epic, however. 28-year-old Paolini jumps from 26 to 14 after claiming her second career title – and biggest by far – at Dubai.
Paolini’s goal this season was to get into position to be seeded at the Slams. Job done. Her previous career-high year-end ranking came last year at No.30, so she’s well on track for a new milestone in that department as well.
Paolini also jumped 25 spots in the Race to the WTA Finals standings, jumping to No.6.
Kalinskaya Top 30 Debut
Three Top 10 wins and a trip to the final at Dubai leave Anna Kalinskaya at a career-high ranking of 24 this week. That’s a notable achievement for the Russian, who was outside of the Top 100 late last season.
Her +16 jump in this week's rankings is the biggest inside the WTA's Top 100.
In 2024 Kalinskaya has already reached her maiden Grand Slam quarterfinal at the Australian Open, and last week she reached her maiden 1000 final at Doha. Impressively, Kalinskaya earned wins over Jelena Ostapenko, Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek last week at Dubai, and improved to 4-0 vs. the Top 10 in 2024.
She has won five of her last six against the Top 10, after going 2-6 in her first eight tries against the Top 10.
Kalinskaya has never finished a season ranked higher than No.58 (2022).
She is currently 8th in the Race to the WTA Finals standings.
Frech Reaches Top 50
26-year-old Pole Magdalena Frech makes her Top 50 debut this week after a trip to the round of 16 at Dubai (loss to Rybakina in three sets). She rises 11 spots to a career-high of 42, and joins Iga Swiatek as one of two Poles in the Top-50, with Magda Linette dropping out this week (-5 to 53).
Teen Krueger Hits New Career-High
American Ashlyn Krueger continues to push up the rankings. The 19-year-old notched her second career Top 25 win in Dubai (d. Caroline Garcia) and jumps six spots to a career-high No.70.
Swiatek Maintains Lead over Sabalenka
Iga Swiatek enters her 92nd week atop the WTA rankings, and continues to lead Aryna Sabalenka by over 1000 points (10,105 to 8725 in this week’s rankings).
Sabalenka leads the Race to the WTA Finals, however, with 2335 points, with Elena Rybakina in second with 2043, and Swiatek in third with 2020 points.