Wozniacki to lose World No.1 ranking following Australian Open quarter- final defeat

Melbourne, Jan 24(ANI): Danish tennis ace Caroline Wozniacki's 67 week reign as the world's top ranked player is set to come to an end following her 3-6 6-7 defeat against Kim Clijsters in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open.

Czech Petra Kvitova, Belarusian and Russian Maria Sharapova have emerged as contenders for the top slot, The Age reports.

Azarenka advanced to the semi- final, ousting Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska 6-7 (0-7) 6-0 6-2 on Tuesday.

But Kvitova and Sharapova need to win their quarter-finals to stay in the race for the No.1 rank.

Sharapova plays unseeded compatriot Ekaterina Makarova, while Kvitova faces unseeded Italian Sara Errani in the quarter-finals of the event.

Azarenka and Sharapova would become World No. 1 if they win the Grand Slam title.

The second-ranked Kvitova could clinch the top spot even if she advances to the final but loses to Clijsters, who plays Azarenka in the semi-finals.(ANI)