WTA Rankings: Sabalenka and Gauff’s battle for World No. 2 continues in Rome

After an intense final in Madrid, Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka have arrived in Rome with more than just the title at stake as the World No. 2 WTA ranking is on the line. Sabalenka, who defeated Gauff to claim the Madrid crown, currently holds the No. 2 spot, but Gauff has a fresh opportunity to reach a new career high with a strong showing at the Italian Open.

Sabalenka enters Rome with 7,498 ranking points, just 185 ahead of Gauff’s 7,313. Defending champion Elena Rybakina sits at No. 4 and will stay there regardless of the results this week, meaning all eyes are on the duel between Sabalenka and Gauff in the race for the second spot.

Neither Gauff nor Sabalenka has many points to defend in Rome. Last year, Sabalenka suffered an early exit in her opening match against Sofia Kenin, while Gauff lost in the third round to Marie Bouzkova. That leaves room for a potential climb in the rankings depending on their results this time around.

For Gauff to have a chance at overtaking Sabalenka, she must reach at least the semifinals. However, that alone won’t be enough unless Sabalenka fails to make the quarterfinals. Should that scenario unfold, Gauff would become World No. 2, her highest career ranking to date.

If Sabalenka advances to the quarterfinals or semifinals, Gauff’s path to No. 2 would require reaching the final. In the case Sabalenka also makes the final, the two could meet again for a head-to-head showdown, with the winner securing the higher ranking.

Their opening matches

In their opening matches, Sabalenka will face Anastasia Potapova, who came through a win against Dayana Yastremska in the first round. Gauff, meanwhile, opens against Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko. Both are expected to advance, setting up a potentially dramatic week in Rome.

At the top of the rankings, Iga Swiatek remains untouchable. The Polish world No. 1 began her Rome campaign with a dominant 6-1, 6-0 victory over Italian wild card Elisabetta Cocciaretto. With her top ranking secure heading into Roland Garros, Swiatek aims to build momentum ahead of the clay season’s biggest event.