WTA rankings update: Alycia Parks, Lin Zhu hit career highs after first WTA titles

Parks and Lin each hit new best rankings after outstanding victories on Sunday

Sandrine Thesillat / Panoramic

February 6, 2023

American Alycia Parks and China’s Lin Zhu are the big mover in the WTA rankings this week, thanks to their first WTA Tour titles in Thailand and Lyon respectively.

Rising star Parks on verge of world’s top 50

Parks beat world No 5 Caroline Garcia 7-6 (7), 7-5 to win in Lyon and the 22-year-old climbs 28 places to No 51 in the latest list, also her career-high, after what was her 15th straight indoor win.

“It feels amazing to hold my first WTA tour-level championship trophy,” Parks said, quoted by the WTA Tour website. “Words can’t explain. Just last year, I was in an [ITF Challenger] $60,000 final, and now I have won a WTA 250.”

Remember this moment…
Remember her name…@TheRealAParks ⚡ pic.twitter.com/rmwp1ZOnxy
— wta (@WTA) February 5, 2023

Lin up to No 41 after Thailand victory

The 29-year-old Lin, who beat Lesia Tsurenko 6-4, 6-4 in Sunday’s final, climbs 13 places to No 41.

Triump in Thailand 🙌

Lin Zhu adds a maiden WTA title to her career resume with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Tsurenko in the Hua Hin championship!#ThailandOpen pic.twitter.com/y5lhAcXTgM
— wta (@WTA) February 5, 2023

“At the beginning of this year, my goal for me and my team was to break the Top 50, and win a WTA title,” said Zhu, who beat Venus Williams and Maria Sakkari on her way to the fourth round at the Australian Open last month.

“Now it’s only February and I already did it, so maybe I have to talk with my team to adjust for the rest of the season. I’m looking forward to it!”

Swiatek still well clear at the top

There were no changes in the world’s top 10, with Poland’s Iga Swiatek retaining a lead of more than 4,000 points over newly crowned Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka.

Garcia, still chasing a first title in Lyon, remains No 5.