Paris - Germany's Angelique Kerber moved up to second place in the latest WTA Tour rankings released on Monday behind injured world No 1 Simona Halep.
It's the highest ranking since July 2017 for Wimbledon champion Kerber, who is gunning to win this week's WTA Finals in Singapore.
But Halep, missing from Singapore, is secure in top spot and will end the season as number one thanks to a points difference of 6 921 to 5 375 for the German.
Along with Halep, Serena Williams will also miss the Singapore event which brings together eight of the top women's players.
In an early shock in Singapore, defending champion Caroline Wozniacki, who slipped from two to three in the latest rankings, was beaten 6-2, 6-4 by Karolina Pliskova.
Top 20 in the latest women's WTA Tour rankings:
1. Simona Halep (ROU) 6 921
2. Angelique Kerber (GER) 5 375
3. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 5 086
4. Naomi Osaka (JPN) 4 740
5. Petra Kvitova (CZE) 4 255
6. Sloane Stephens (USA) 3 943
7. Elina Svitolina (UKR) 3 850
8. Karolina Pliskova (CZE) 3 840
9. Kiki Bertens (NED) 3 710
10. Daria Kasatkina (RUS) 3 315
11. Anastasija Sevastova (LAT) 3 185
12. Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) 3 145
13. Elise Mertens (BEL) 3 065
14. Julia Goerges (GER) 2 995
15. Serena Williams (USA) 2 976
16. Madison Keys (USA) 2 817
17. Garbine Muguruza (ESP) 2 725
18. Caroline Garcia (FRA) 2 600
19. Ashleigh Barty (AUS) 2 420
20. Anett Kontaveit (EST) 2 375