Kvitova returns to WTA Top 10

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Sept. 30 (UPI) -- Petra Kvitova returns to the WTA Top 10 this week in the wake of her win at the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Japan.

Kvitova defeated No. 9-ranked Angelique Kerber in Saturday's final for her 11th title overall and second of 2013. That boosts her four spots in the rankings to No. 7. Her career high ranking is No. 2 in October 2011.

Kvitova's move into the Top 10 forces Jelena Jankovic from 10th to No. 11. Also Marion Bartoli, who abruptly retired this summer, drops from seventh to 10th in the rankings.

Serena Williams has been No. 1 for the last 33 weeks, her sixth turn at leading the rankings. The 33-week string is 20th most, one back of Martina Hingis and Amelie Mauresmo. Williams has 156 weeks -- three years -- in total as No. 1. That is sixth-most all-time with Monica Seles (178) in fifth, Steffi Graf owns the record with 377 weeks atop the WTA rankings.

Bojana Jovanovski defeated Zhang Shuai at a 125K Series event in China in the other WTA tournament last week. Jovanovski moves to 39th from 42st in the rankings while Zhang is 66th, up eight places.

Williams and No 2-ranked Victoria Azarenka, the defending champion, top the field at this week's China Open. They are among eight Top 10 players -- all but No. 3 Maria Sharapova, who has a shoulder injury, and Bartoli -- playing in Beijing.

The WTA Top 10, listing player's name, home country and ranking points:

1. Serena Williams, United States, 12,260

2. Victoria Azarenka, Belarus, 9,480

3. Maria Sharapova, Russia, 7,641

4. Agnieszka Radwanska, Poland, 5,995

5. Li Na, China, 5,565

6. Sara Errani, Italy, 4,300

7. Petra Kvitova, Czech Republic, 3,945

8. Caroline Wozniacki, Denmark, 3,735

9. Angelique Kerber, Germany, 3,645

10. Marion Bartoli, France, 3622