Record-setting Serena back at No 1

Melbourne - Australian Open winner Serena Williams replaced Angelique Kerber as world No 1 in the latest WTA rankings released on Monday.

The American moved up one place courtesy of her victory in Melbourne where she got the better of sister Venus 6-4, 6-4 in the final on Saturday for a record 23rd Grand Slam title.

Kerber's defence of her Australian Open crown ended with a last 16 loss to Coco Vandeweghe with the German now down to second and her American nemesis up 15 rungs to 20th.

Melbourne quarter-finalist Karolina Pliskova climbs two spots to third.

Latest WTA rankings:

1. Serena Williams (USA) 7 780 points

2. Angelique Kerber (GER) 7 115

3. Karolina Pliskova (CZE) 5 270

4. Simona Halep (ROM) 5 073 

5. Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) 4 985

6. Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) 4 915

7. Garbine Muguruza (ESP) 4 720

8. Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) 3 915

10. Johanna Konta (GBR) 3 705

11. Venus Williams (USA) 3 530

12. Petra Kvitova (CZE) 3 415

13. Elina Svitolina (UKR) 2 955

14. Carla Suarez (ESP) 2 625

15. Timea Bacsinszky (SUI) 2 347

16. Elena Vesnina (RUS) 2 357

17. Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) 2 295

18. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 2 295

19. Victoria Azarenka (BLR) 2 161

20. Coco Vandeweghe (USA) 2 136