Iga Swiatek has solidified her position as world No. 1 for a 72nd week, as she reaches the quarter-finals of the National Bank Canadian Open (Omnium Banque Nationale) in Montreal.

22-year-old Swiatek first rose to the top spot last year after Ashleigh Barty's shock retirement and has held onto the position ever since. In that time, the Polish player has won three out of her four Grand Slam titles.

Moreover, she has now fended off a challenge by world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka this week at the WTA 1000 event. The Belarusian had a chance to overtake Swiatek, as long as the latter did not reach the quarter-finals. However, a three-set win against Karolina Muchova 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 has once again secured Swiatek's safety at the top.

Sabalenka's best chance at reaching world No. 1 for the first time came at Wimbledon. Swiatek was defeated by Elina Svitolina in the quarter-final at the All England Club, while Sabalenka progressed through to the semi-final.

At that point, all the 25-year-old needed to do was reach the final, but despite coming agonizingly close, she ultimately ended up being defeated in her semi-final match against world No. 6 Ons Jabeur, who won in three sets 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-3. 

At the moment, both women are still in the Canadian Open, with Sabalenka waiting to play her Round of 16 match against fifteenth seed Liudmila Samsonova.

In the live rankings, Swiatek now has 9,570 points. Meanwhile, Sabalenka stays behind by a few hundred at 8,746. World No. 4 Elena Rybakina has gone back up above No. 3 Jessica Pegula for now at least. The former has 5,595 and the latter has 5,320 points.

Swiatek will face Danielle Collins in her semi-final match in Canada.