PARIS - Victoria Azarenka of Belarus yesterday secured the end of year WTA top ranking, finishing the season 550 points ahead of Russian Maria Sharapova.
US star Serena Williams, who beat Sharapova in Monday's Masters final, ended the season in third spot, capping a remarkable come-back year after a lengthy time on the sidelines because of a potentially life-threatening blood clot on the lungs.
The only movement of note in the top 20 was a fall from sixth to eighth spot for Czech Petra Kvitova, who saw her Masters challenge wrecked owing to bronchitis.