Caroline Wozniacki may take over the No. 1 ranking in women’s tennis from an injured Serena Williams at this week’s China Open.
Wozniacki, a finalist in last year’s U.S. Open, won the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo two days ago for a WTA Tour record fifth tournament victory this year. The 20-year-old righthander from Denmark, currently ranked second, will be No. 1 for the first time if she reaches the quarterfinals in Beijing.
Williams, 29, hasn’t played on the women’s tour since capturing her 13th Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in July. The American had foot surgery the same month after walking through glass at a restaurant in Munich, she told USA Today last month.
As well as missing the U.S. Open, Williams pulled out of tournaments in Tokyo and Beijing at the end of September, saying that although she had made progress with her injury, she still wasn’t ready to compete in Asia.
“In the meantime I am focused on my rehab program and remain optimistic to return to competition this season,” Williams said in a statement on the WTA Tour website on Sept. 25.
Williams, who also won the Australian Open this year, has qualified for the season-ending WTA Championships, which will be played Oct. 26-31 in Doha, Qatar.
Serena Williams
Serena Williams
Serena Williams
Serena Williams
Serena Williams
Serena Williams
Serena Williams
Serena Williams
Serena Williams
Serena Williams