Azarenka finishes as No 1

Paris - Victoria Azarenka of Belarus on Monday 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 Sunday's Masters final, ended the season in third spot, capping a remarkable come-back year after a lengthy time on the sidelines due to 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.

Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki, though, could still edge into the top 10 from her current 11th spot as she is competing in Sofia from Tuesday, meaning she could move above Marion Bartoli of France, who is not competing in the event.

Top 20 WTA rankings:

1. Victoria Azarenka (BLR) 10 595 points

2. Maria Sharapova (RUS) 10 045

3. Serena Williams (USA) 9 400

4. Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) 7 425

5. Angelique Kerber (GER) 5 550

6. Sara Errani (ITA) 5 100 (+1)

7. Na Li (CHN) 5 095 (+1)

8. Petra Kvitova (CZE) 5 085 (-2)

9. Samantha Stosur (AUS) 4 135

10. Marion Bartoli (FRA) 3 740

11. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 3 685

12. Ana Ivanovic (SRB) 2 900

13. Nadia Petrova (RUS) 2 725

14. Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) 2 495

15. Maria Kirilenko (RUS) 2 463

16. Roberta Vinci (ITA) 2 400

17. Lucie Safarova (CZE) 2 125

18. Julia Goerges (GER) 1 965

19. Kaia Kanepi (EST) 1 929

20. Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) 1 841