Barty loss in Toronto puts No. 1 rank in jeopardy
TORONTO -- Ashleigh Barty lost 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4 to American Sofia Kenin in second-round play at the Rogers Cup on Tuesday, putting the Australian's No. 1 ranking in peril.
Current world No. 2 Naomi Osaka of Japan can overtake Barty for the top ranking by winning her first match Wednesday. The 21-year-old opens her Rogers Cup against Germany's Tatjana Maria.
Americans Sloane Stephens, the No. 7 seed, and Venus Williams also were eliminated Tuesday.
Auger-Aliassime wins, Kyrgios falls at Rogers Cup
Stephens fell to Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic 6-2, 7-5. The 39-year-old Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam champion, lost 6-4, 6-2 to Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro. Suarez Navarro, ranked 26th in the world, snapped a five-match losing streak against the 56th-ranked Williams.
Donna Vekic, Alison Riske, Katerina Siniakova, Zhang Shuai, Iga Swiatek and Ekaterina Alexandrova also advanced to the second round with wins Tuesday.
Also, teenager Bianca Andreescu defeated Eugenie Bouchard 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 in an all-Canadian first-round matchup in her first match since aggravating a shoulder injury at the French Open in May.
Andreescu will face Daria Kasatkina in the second round. Kasatkina advanced by upsetting No. 12-seeded Angelique Kerber on Monday.
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NAOMI, New No.1
Re: NAOMI, New No.1Naomi 'defeats' Maria due to the latter's retirement from the match. Congrats, Naomi!
Re: NAOMI, New No.1Osaka opens new chapter on summer hardcourts: 'I wouldn't have wanted it easier'
Re: NAOMI, New No.1Really? With her win, Osaka is in prime position to retain the No. 1 ranking from Ashleigh Barty, as Pliskova now must reach the final to stay in the running. Pliskova at No. 1 would be disastrous for the WTA. Re: NAOMI, New No.1The ranking rarely reflects reality, as it is based on results of 7-12 months ago. We all know who the real #1 is at the moment: Halep proved herself once more in the last weeks, with Wimbledon as cherry on the cake. If you can beat the best grass player of the last 20 years in the final, then there is no discussion. "Never argue with an idiot - they take you down to their level and then beat you on experience" "Don't wrestle with a pig: you both get dirty, but the pig actually likes it"
Re: NAOMI, New No.1Halep is in better rhythm but Serena has been the most consistent GS player over the last year. Re: NAOMI, New No.1To be competitive, Serena needs her serve, the big ERASER. That's all, folks.
Re: NAOMI, New No.1Barty, while disappointed at her early exit, said she was not worried about whether she retained her lofty ranking after this week, especially given it is now out of her control. “It’s just a number next to your name,” the Aussie said. “It doesn’t define you as a person or a player. “If next week I’m not No.1, I’m certainly not going to lose any sleep over it.” |
