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How Naomi Osaka can overtake Ash Barty as world No. 1 after Miami


Naomi Osaka has a chance to surpass Ashleigh Barty as the WTA world No. 1 if she wins the Miami Open.

The world No. 2 currently has 7,835 ranking points, and only has 65 points to defend from her 2019 third round showing in Miami. Winning the WTA 1000 event would, therefore, take the 23-year-old’s tally to 8,770 points.

Barty currently has a points total of 9,186, but is the defending Miami Open champion – having won the 2019 edition. If Osaka did win the title, the Australian would need to reach the final to retain the No. 1 spot.

Another scenario which could see the top spot shift would be if Barty lost in the second round. Osaka would then need to reach the final to overtake the 24-year-old.

Osaka is on a 21-match winning streak heading into the Miami Open – stretching back to the second round of the Western & Southern Open in August.

The Japanese star’s run includes winning the US Open and Australian Open titles – taking her tally of Grand Slam triumphs to four.

While the streak includes Osaka giving two walkovers – her last tour-level defeat was a Billie Jean King Cup rubber against Sara Sorribes Tormo in February last year.

 


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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.