Ranking Watch | Bublik Enters Top 10 with a Title, Wang Xinyu Returns to Top 50

The first week of the 2026 season’s tour concluded with champions crowned at the United Cup, WTA500 Brisbane, WTA250 Auckland, and ATP250 Hong Kong events. The updated weekly world rankings have shifted, impacting the final seedings for the 2026 Australian Open.

Bublik Breaks into Top 10 with Title Win

Kazakhstan’s star Bublik captured the ATP250 Hong Kong title, earning 250 ranking points to surpass Britain’s top player Draper with 3065 points, climbing to world No. 10. This marks the first time in his career he has entered the Top 10. Last year, his ranking had dropped beyond 80, but starting from the clay season, he regained form, reaching the French Open quarterfinals, US Open round of 16, and Paris Masters semifinals. He also won four titles at Halle, Gstaad, Kitzbühel, and Hangzhou, including a notable victory over then world No. 1 Sinner at Halle.

Musetti Achieves Career-High Ranking of No. 5

Musetti improved his career-best ranking to No. 5 thanks to the runner-up points earned at ATP Hong Kong. Deminor and Aliassime hold positions No. 6 and No. 7 respectively, while Fritz dropped to No. 9 after losing United Cup points. Since breaking into the Top 10 during last year’s clay season, Musetti has maintained consistent performances across tournaments. Although he has yet to end his three-year title drought, his ranking breakthrough is significant. Consequently, Musetti will enter the Australian Open as the fifth seed.

Wang Xinyu Returns to Top 50 with Runner-Up Finish

Chinese rising star Wang Xinyu claimed the runner-up spot at the WTA250 Auckland event, gaining 163 ranking points and moving up to No. 43 in the world. Despite reaching the WTA500 Berlin final last year, Wang struggled towards the year’s end with a six-match losing streak after the US Open. However, she started the new year with strong spirit and confidence, showing momentum in her ranking rise and aiming for a breakthrough at the Australian Open. This week, three Chinese players remain in the women’s singles Top 100: Zheng Qinwen holds No. 25, and Zhang Shuai has risen to No. 73.

Bencic Earns 500 Points to Rejoin Top 10

Bencic was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2026 United Cup, winning all five of her singles matches and going 4-1 in mixed doubles. She earned all 500 ranking points, boosting her to 3512 points and overtaking Aleksandrova to return to the Top 10. When she returned last year, Bencic was ranked No. 487, but after winning titles in Abu Dhabi and Tokyo and reaching the Wimbledon semifinals, she climbed to No. 11 and was awarded the 2025 WTA Comeback Player of the Year. Now back in the Top 10, Bencic will be one of the most anticipated competitors at this year’s Australian Open as the tenth seed.

(Article and editing by Dato, images courtesy of Visual China)