Berlin - Brisbane champion Maria Sharapova closed in on world No 1 Serena Williams in the latest women's tennis rankings issued on Monday by the WTA.
Williams, a losing finalist with the USA at the Hopman Cup, remained on 8 016 points while Sharapova improved to 7 335. Simona Halep is third on 6 571 a week before the first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open, starts in Melbourne.
Sharapova won the Brisbane title on the weekend against Ana Ivanovic, who rose from seventh to fifth by reaching the final.
WTA Top 10
1. Serena Williams, United States, 8 016
2. Maria Sharapova, Russia, 7 335
3. Simona Halep, Romania, 6 571
4. Petra Kvitova, Czech Republic, 5 891
5. Ana Ivanovic, Serbia, 4 845
6. Agnieszka Radwanska, Poland, 4 810
7. Eugenie Bouchard, Canada, 4 715
8. Caroline Wozniacki, Denmark, 4 625
9. Angelique Kerber, Germany, 3 275
10. Ekaterina Makarova, Russia, 2 970
Also:
81. Chani Scheepers