Melbourne winner Kenin breaks into top 10

PARIS: Sofia Kenin’s rise to a career-high seventh in the world after her surprise Australian Open triumph was confirmed on Monday with the publication of the latest WTA rankings. The unheralded American jumped eight places into a top 10 headed by Ashleigh Barty following Saturday’s stunning 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 win over Garbine Muguruza in Melbourne. Australian Barty, who fell to 21-year-old Kenin in the semifinals, retained her position as world number one ahead of Simona Halep, who replaced Karolina Pliskova, ousted in the third round. — AFP Latest WTA rankings published on Monday: 1. Ashleigh Barty (AUS) 8367 pts 2. Simona Halep (ROU) 6101 (+1) 3. Karolina Pliskova (CZE) 5290 (-1) 4. Elina Svitolina (UKR) 4775 (+1) 5. Belinda Bencic (SUI) 4675 (+2) 6. Bianca Andreescu (CAN) 4665 7. Sofia Kenin (USA) 4495 (+8) 8. Kiki Bertens (NED) 3965 (+2) 9. Serena Williams (USA) 3915 10. Naomi Osaka (JPN) 3626 (-6) 11. Petra Kvitova (CZE) 3466 (-3) 12. Madison Keys (USA) 2962 (-1) 13. Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) 2820 (-1) 14. Johanna Konta (GBR) 2753 (-1) 15. Petra Martic (CRO) 2586 (-1) 16. Garbine Muguruza (ESP) 2527 (+16) 17. Marketa Vondrousova (CZE) 2430 (-1) 18. Alison Riske (USA) 2360 (+1) 19. Elise Mertens (BEL) 2360 (-2) 20. Angelique Kerber (GER) 2175 (-2)