Sabalenka replaces Serena in top 10 after Linz title

Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus reacts during her final match of the WTA Upper Austria Ladies tennis tournament against Belgium’s Elise Mertens on November 15, 2020 in Linz. (Photo by BARBARA GINDL / APA / AFP) / Austria OUT

Aryna Sabalenka returned to the WTA’s top 10 on Monday at the expense of Serena Williams after the Belarusian captured her eighth career title in Linz at the weekend.

The 22-year-old Sabalenka finished the season in style with a straight-sets victory over her doubles partner Elise Mertens in Sunday’s final in Austria.

She traded places with Williams, who dropped one spot to 11th and hasn’t played since pulling out of the French Open with an Achilles injury.

Ashleigh Barty remains clear at the top despite skipping both the US and French Opens following the season’s resumption after the coronavirus shutdown. Her last match was at the Qatar Open in February.

Belgian Mertens moved up one place to 20th, climbing above last year’s Roland Garros runner-up Marketa Vondrousova.