Elena Rybakina will rise to a new career-high ranking regardless of where she finishes at Indian Wells.
Rybakina is currently ranked third on the WTA Tour, behind world number one Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek.
But the rankings are set to change after the WTA 1000 tournament in California after Rybakina beat Jessica Pegula.
The Kazakhstan star defeated the American 6-1, 7-6(7-4) in the quarterfinals to set up an Indian Wells semifinal with Elina Svitolina.
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Elena Rybakina set to rise to world number two
Ahead of that match, Rybakina has been handed the boost of knowing she is set to climb to world number two when the WTA rankings are updated after Indian Wells.
She is set to overtake Swiatek, who was beaten by Svitolina in the quarterfinals at Tennis Paradise in California.
World number two will represent a career-high for Rybakina, who has previously never climbed higher than third place.
First up, however, she will have her sights set on an Indian Wells final, where either Aryna Sabalenka or Linda Noskova would be awaiting.
Who will be ranked higher by the end of 2026 – Elena Rybakina or Aryna Sabalenka?
How have the WTA top 10 performed at Indian Wells?
It has been an intriguing WTA season so far, in which Rybakina has been one of the standout players.
She clinched the first Grand Slam title of 2026 at the Australian Open, defeating Sabalenka in the final in Melbourne.
And after several withdrawals and retirements at the likes of the Qatar Open and Dubai Tennis Championships, the stars returned for Indian Wells.
The entire WTA top 10 took on the tournament in California, of which only Sabalenka, Rybakina and Svitolina remain.
Joining them is world number 14 Noskova, who has thus far beaten Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, Sorana Cirstea, Alexandra Eala and Talia Gibson in her impressive run.
| Rank | Player | Result |
| 1 | Aryna Sabalenka* | Semifinals |
| 2 | Iga Swiatek | Quarterfinals |
| 3 | Elena Rybakina | Semifinals |
| 4 | Coco Gauff | Third round |
| 5 | Jessica Pegula | Quarterfinals |
| 6 | Amanda Anisimova | Round of 16 |
| 7 | Jasmine Paolini | Round of 16 |
| 8 | Mirra Andreeva | Third round |
| 9 | Elina Svitolina* | Semifinals |
| 10 | Victoria Mboko | Quarterfinals |
There have definitely been mixed results for the top players in women’s tennis right now, many of whom will be very disappointed with their showings at Indian Wells.
Fortunately they’ll have the chance to recover at the Miami Open, representing the second half of the Sunshine Double.
Once more all top 10 players have committed to the WTA 1000 tournament in Miami, which brings an end to the Sunshine Swing.
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