Youngest Top-20 Player Since 2005, Andreeva Makes History as Gauff Returns to Top-5

Andreeva Youngest Top-20 Since 2005, Gauff Back in Top-5

By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Monday October 7, 2024

Welcome to the Top 20, Mirra Andreeva. The talented 17-year-old cracks the milestone in this week’s WTA rankings, and she’s not the only young player on the move. Scroll down for more…

Tennis Express

Mirra’s Milestone

After reaching her fourth quarterfinal of 2024 – all at WTA 1000 level or above – 17-year-old Andreeva cracks the Top 20, coming in at No.19.

Andreeva is the youngest player to reach the WTA’s Top 20 for the first time since Nicole Vaidisova in 2005. She will turn 18 next April 29.

Starodubsteva Top 100

Yuliia Starodubsteva was one of the biggest stories last week in Beijing, as the qualifier powered all the way to the quarterfinals on her WTA 1000 debut. For her efforts the 24-year-old, who defeated Anna Kalinskaya for her first Top 20 win in the round of 16 at Beijing, rises 36 spots up to No.79.

Muchova Closing in on Aussie Open Seed

The rapid ascent of former World No.8 Karolina Muchova continues this week, as the 28-year-old rises another 18 spots to No.31 after reaching the final in Beijing. Muchova has played just seven events since returning from wrist surgery this summer. She is 18-6 with finals at Beijing and Palermo and a semifinal at the US Open. She is also 2-0 against the Top 5 after snapping Aryna Sabalenkas 15-match winning streak in the Beijing semis.

Zhang Rockets

China’s Zhang Shuai snapped her 24-match losing streak and won four matches in a row at Beijing to rise 345 places from 595 to 250. She reached the quarterfinals in Beijing, and earned a Top-10 win over Emma Navarro in the second round.

Coco Back in Top 5

Coco Gauff, the champion in Beijing, moves back into the Top 5, jumping two spots to No.6.

The American, who became the first American woman to win the title in Beijing since Serena Williams in 2013, is now 7-0 lifetime in hard court finals.

Other Notable Risers

Anna Kalinskaya, +1 to No.13: A new career-high for the Russian after a round of 16 run in Beijing. Paula Badosa, +4 to No.15: The former World No.2 is back up to 15 this week.

Donna Vekic, +2 to No.18: Vekic is now at a career-high.

Paula Badosa, +4 to No.15: Resurgent Badosa was ranked 139 at Roland-Garros.

Magdalena Frech, +4 to No.27: Frech makes her Top-30 debut after a trip to the round of 16 at Beijing.

Naomi Osaka, +15 to No.58: Injury stopped the four-time Slam champ in Beijing, but she’s up another 15 spots.