Williams set to go top again

Serena Williams will regain her world number one ranking after she beat Russia’s Ekaterina Makarova 6-3 6-2 in the second round of the China Open.

The result, combined with Dinara Safina’s defeat yesterday by world number 226 Zhang Shuai – the lowest-ranked player ever to beat a world number one – means Williams will go top again when the new rankings are announced on Monday.

“Obviously I’m happy to be there because I’ve worked so hard this year to get there. I think I’ve earned it,” said Williams.

Williams has been ranked number one for 72 weeks in her career but surrendered top spot to her Russian rival back in April.

Williams cruised through her match today. But the eighth and ninth seeds were dumped out today, joining Safina and and Williams’ sister Venus on the sidelines.

Eighth seed Jelena Jankovic succumbed 4-6 7-5 6-2 to Peng Shuai, of China – and Victoria Azarenka lost out in a marathon three-hour match against Maria Sharapova, who eventually won 6-3 6-7 (5/7) 7-5.

Sharapova said: “I certainly felt like I stepped it up when I needed to.”

There were no such dramas for fourth seed Elena Dementieva – who beat Hungarian qualifier Melinda Czink 6-4 6-3 – or her fellow Russian Vera Zvonareva, seeded seventh and cruising past Italy’s Francesca Schiavone 6-3 6-0.

There were also wins today for Flavia Pennetta, Marion Bartoli and Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez.