Azarenka up to second on rankings

Berlin – Victoria Azarenka of Belarus climbs to second behind Serena Williams of the United States in the women's tennis rankings released Monday by the WTA.

Azarenka, who was beaten 6-2, 6-3 by Australia's Samantha Stosur in Sunday's final of the Southern California Open, moves ahead of Maria Sharapova of Russia.

Williams, on 11,245 points, has a clear lead over Azarenka, on 8,805, with Sharapova on 8,765. The rest of the top 10 is unchanged.

WTA top 10 as of August 5 (previous ranking in parenthesis):

1. (1) Serena Williams, United States, 11,245 points

2. (3) Victoria Azarenka, Belarus, 8,805

3. (2) Maria Sharapova, Russia, 8,765

4. (4) Agnieszka Radwanska, Poland, 6,165

5. (5) Li Na, China, 5,555

6. (6) Sara Errani, Italy, 5,100

7. (7) Petra Kvitova, Czech Republic, 4,435

8. (8) Marion Bartoli, France, 4,365

9. (9) Angelique Kerber, Germany, 3,920

10. (10) Caroline Wozniacki, Denmark, 3,660. – Sapa-dpa

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