Iga Swiatek becomes 1st player in 21st century to rack up more than 7000 points in 1st half of the year, goes past Serena Williams' tally from 2013
Iga Swiatek has overtaken Serena Williams to become the first player in the 21st century to earn over 7000 WTA ranking points in the first half of the season.
Williams earned 6855 ranking points in the first half of the 2013 season, while Swiatek has bagged 7290 points in the first half of 2022 following her Roland Garros triumph.
Other players to have earned more than 6000 ranking points in the first half of the year include Maria Sharapova (2012), Belgian greats Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters (both in 2003) and Jennifer Capriati (2001).
Never before since 2001 (couldn't find numbers for before that) a woman had gained more than 7000 points in the race after Roland Garros, even when converting points prior to 2014 to the current system. Iga has now 7290! The previous record was 6855 from Serena in 2013
She defeated Coco Gauff 6-1, 6-3 to win the French Open for the second time in her career. She has now won six titles and 35 matches on the trot this year. Her winning streak began in Doha in February.
Swiatek rose to the top spot in the women's rankings after former World No. 1 and 2022 Australian Open champion Ashleigh Barty retired. She reached the summit of the WTA rankings after getting past Viktorija Golubic in the second round of the Miami Open earlier this year.
Świątek
Serena
Sharápova
Henin Had more than 6000 points at this stage of the year since 2001
2022 🇵🇱Świątek
2013 🇺🇸Serena
2012 🇷🇺Sharápova
2003 🇧🇪Henin 🇧🇪Clijsters
2001 🇺🇸Capriati
(Converting points to the current system)
Serena Williams' 34-match unbeaten run bettered by Iga Swiatek at French Open
Incidentally, Serena Williams' 34-match unbeaten streak from 2013 was bettered by the Pole en route to her second French Open title.
World number one Iga Swiatek beats Daria Kasatkina 6-2 6-1.
She's leveled Serena Williams' insane 34-match unbeaten run and looks the huge favorite for Saturday's final. 🔥
#RolandGarros #RG22 https://t.co/RfGnz2Ex3D
The American began a phenomenal run at the Sony Open in Miami, defeating Maria Sharapova in the final. She overcame the Russian once again to win the Mutua Madrid Open a few weeks later.
After getting past sister Venus Williams in the semifinals of the Family Circle Cup, Serena Williams overcame Jelena Jankovic to win the title.
Victoria Azarenka failed to stop the former World No. 1 in the final of the Italian Open, while Maria Sharapova lost to the 23-time Slam winner once again at Roland Garros.
BREAKING: Serena Williams wins French Open women's title 6-4, 6-4 over Maria Sharapova.
Sabine Lisicki was the player who finally ended the three-time French Open champion's run in the fourth round of Wimbledon.
Swiatek equalled the American's streak after her semifinal win against Daria Kasatkina at Roland Garros. She went past Serena's tally after overcoming Coco Gauff in the final.
Swiatek is currently tied with Venus Williams for the longest winning streak in the 21st century with 35 straight victories.