Pliskova’s No.1 chances still alive

Published by Leigh Rogers

STILL IN THE LEAD: Despite an early exit, Karolina Pliskova could still become world No.1 after Wimbledon; Getty Images

Czech Karolina Pliskova has just suffered a shock second round loss at Wimbledon – but there could be a silver lining. The 25-year-old can still potentially become the world No.1 after the tournament.

But Pliskova’s chances of creating history as the first Czech woman to reach the top of the WTA rankings, now depends on the performances of Simona Halep and Angelique Kerber.

The world No.3, who lost in the second round for a fifth consecutive year, currently holds a 515-point advantage after Kerber’s runner-up and Halep’s quarterfinal points from last year are removed.

It means Pliskova will become world No.1 if:

  • Halep loses before the semifinals

AND

  • Kerber loses before the final

After her loss to Slovakian Magdalena Rybarikova, Pliskova did not want to comment on how the scenario might play out.

“For me the tournament is over. I’m not going to pray for someone losing or winning. I’m just going to take off and wait,” she said.

READ MORE: Rybarikova stuns title favourite Pliskova

The table below shows Pliskova’s current ranking point total and highlights what her rivals can improve to at each stage of the tournament:

R1 R2 R3 R4 QF SF F W
Pliskova 6855
Halep 6340 6450 6640 6990 7510 8210
Kerber 5865 5975 6165 6515 7035 7735

If Pliskova does become the world No.1, she would be the sixth woman to reach the top spot without winning a Grand Slam and first since Caroline Wozniacki in October 2010.

GALLERY: Wimbledon day four action

ATP No.1 update

It is still a three-way race for the men’s top ranking, with Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic all in contention.

Djokovic needs to win the title and hope neither Murray or Nadal reach the semifinal stage.

With only 105 points currently separating Murray and Nadal, it is a much closer battle between them for the coveted spot:

R1 R2 R3 R4 QF SF F W
Murray 7480 7570 7750 8110 8590 9390
Nadal 7375 7465 7645 8005 8485 9285
Wawrinka 6140
Djokovic 6055 6145 6325 6685 7165 7965

Djokovic, who slipped to world No.4 after not defending his French Open title last month, will overtake world No.3 Stan Wawrinka (who was eliminated in the opening round) if he beats Latvian Ernests Gulbis in the third round.

SMASHTALK: Are Halep and Murray at risk of losing in the third round?

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