(Tennis news) Iga Swiatek’s win to the quarterfinals of the Canadian Open meant she would keep the top slot through the 2023 Canadian Open, so it will now be at least 72 weeks before she is deposed.

The World No. 1 faced Karolina Muchova in the third round, a rematch of the French Open championship, and won in three sets. Swiatek defeated the Czech 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 to advance to the Montreal semifinals despite an unusual pause in the tension in the second set.

Following Ashleigh Barty’s abrupt retirement last year, the 22-year-old rose to the top rank for the first time in her career and has maintained it ever since, winning three more Grand Slams.

Swiatek needed to avoid making it through the quarterfinals since world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka was vying for the top spot this week. At Wimbledon last month, Sabalenka had a chance to pass the four-time Grand Slam winner if she advanced all the way to the final rather than losing to her in the first round. In the semifinals at SW19, she came up very short nevertheless.

The Belarusian is still competing in the 2023 Canadian Open and will face Liudmila Samsonova on Friday in the Round of 16. In contrast, Leylah Fernandez or Danielle Collins will be Swiatek’s opponents in the quarterfinals.

In terms of points, Sabalenka is in second place with 8,746 points, trailing Swiatek, who has 9,570 (in the live rankings). Elena Rybakina (5,510) and Jessica Pegula (5,320), who are also currently competing in the WTA 1000 tournament, are in front of the duo.

Iga Swiatek is predicted by 18-time Grand Slam victor Martina Navratilova to end the year as the current World No. 1. The American believes Swiatek has the requisite talents to survive the attack from Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina as 2023 comes to an end, even if she believes the contest will be tighter than it was last season.

“Other than Coco Gauff, I think Iga Swiatek is the best mover, efficient and quick. I think she’s still the favorite to finish the year No.1 but, it’s a lot closer than it was this time last year,” Navratilova said.

Swiatek’s next major point battle will take place at the US Open, where she will be defending her championship. She won her third Grand Slam championship at Flushing Meadows last year by defeating Ons Jabeur in straight sets.

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