Iga Swiatek's World No.2 ranking in danger as Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff advance at Madrid Open

Although defending champion Iga Swiatek is the favorite to reach the final this year, there is more at stake for the Polish star should she not win the title.

The five-time Grand Slam champion defeated rival Aryna Sabalenka in a three-set slugfest in last year's final, exacting revenge on the Belarusian after Sabalenka defeated Swiatek in the final of the 2023 edition. With both ladies being the highest-ranked players at this year's tournament, they are positioned to clash for the third straight year should they both reach the final.

Currently ranked at World No.2 on the WTA Rankings table, Swiatek could drop out of the Top 2 for the first time since March 21, 2022 depending on certain results. The American duo of Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff, ranked World No.3 and 4 respectively, are hot on the Pole's heels and could overtake her given strong performances in Madrid.

Scheduled to face Czech Linda Noskova in the round of 32, Swiatek would lose her No.2 ranking if she falls to Noskova and Pegula reaches the semifinals and Gauff makes it to the final. The same scenario is in play if Swiatek loses in the Round of 16, with both Americans passing the former champion.

Should Swiatek fall in the quarterfinals, Pegula Gauff would leapfrog the Polish star if they both reach the final. Defeat in the semifinals for Swiatek would see her drop in rankings if Pegula reaches the final and Gauff wins the title. If Pegula and Gauff meet for the title, the winner would climb to No.2.

If Swiatek were to finish runner-up to Pegula, then she would lose the No.2 ranking to Pegula win Gauff unable to catch her. Therefore, Swiatek's surefire way of holding onto her No.2 ranking is if she were to win the Madrid title.