Madrid - Venus Williams will be confirmed as the number two player in women's tennis behind sister Serena when the WTA rankings are next published, after she reached the Madrid quarter-finals on Wednesday.
It will be the first time in over seven years, since May 5, 2003, that the elder Williams sibling will be classed in the world two.
She booked her place in the last eight on the Madrid clay after coming from behind to defeat Italy's Francesca Schiavone of Italy 3-6 6-1 6-2.
The next WTA rankings will be published on Monday.