Maria Sharapova returns to No. 2 in the world this week after winning the China Open in Beijing, her first title in the country. Sharapova displaces Simona Halep and Petra Kvitova, whom she beat to claim the crown, in the rankings to move into the second spot behind Serena Williams. It's a return to the top for Sharapova, who was in danger of falling out of the top 10 earlier this season, and ensures that she won't be drawn with Williams in round-robin play at the WTA Finals in Singapore. 

Also benefitting from a strong run in Beijing is Samantha Stosur, who rises three places from No. 21 to No. 18 this week. The Australian reached the semifinals in the Chinese capital after receiving a walkover from Williams in the quarterfinals, and lost a tight three-set match at that stage to Kvitova. Tsvetana Pironkova and Mona Barthel, each of whom qualified at the China Open and won a round before falling to seeded opponents, are the big movers into the top 50. Both players move up seven spots in the rankings, as the Bulgarian moves from No. 51 to No. 44, while the German moves from No. 54 to No. 47.

On the ATP side of things, Tokyo champion Kei Nishikori moves into the world's top 6, and sits a mere 60 points behind David Ferrer for the top 5. Gilles Simon, who reached the semfinals in the Japanese capital before falling to Milos Raonic, moves up eight places to No. 29; Benjamin Becker, who also reached the semifinals, moves up 16 places to No. 46.

Also making moves courtesy of strong showing in Tokyo are American Jack Sock, who moves up 10 places to No. 60 after reaching the quarterfinals, and Tatsuma Ito, who upset Stan Wawrinka as a wildcard. Ito also moves up 10 places and cracks the top 100 at No. 93.

Photo: AP