Paris - Germany's Angelique Kerber on Monday ousted Serena Williams from top spot in the WTA rankings despite her fourth-round exit from Indian Wells.
Kerber, 29, the top-ranked player in the Indian Wells draw, returned to No 1 in the world despite the defeat because Williams missed the event through injury.
Elena Vesnina, 30, of Russia, who eliminated Kerber in the fourth round before going on to win the tournament, moved up to 13th in the rankings, her best ever placing.
Latest WTA rankins released Monday:
1. Angelique Kerber (GER) 7 515 points
2. Serena Williams (USA) 7 130
3. Karolina Pliskova (CZE) 5 640
4. Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) 5 160
5. Simona Halep (ROM) 5 022
6. Garbine Muguruza (ESP) 4 790
7. Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) 4 555
8. Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) 4 345
9. Madison Keys (USA) 4 007
10. Elina Svitolina (UKR) 3 850
11. Johanna Konta (GBR) 3 545
12. Venus Williams (USA) 3 485
13. Elena Vesnina (RUS) 3 320
14. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 3 225
15. Petra Kvitova (CZE) 3 095
16. Timea Bacsinszky (SUI) 2 303
17. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) 2 141
18. Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) 2 080
19. Samantha Stosur (AUS) 2 010
20. Barbara Strycova (CZE) 1 995