(Reuters) -Aryna Sabalenka's return to top spot in the WTA rankings after leapfrogging Iga Swiatek has set up a thrilling end to the season, with next month's WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia likely to prove decisive in the race to end the year as world number one.

Three-time major champion Aryna Sabalenka surpassed Iga Swiatek for the World No. 1 ranking to nearly close out the 2024 season.Sabalenka previously held the No. 1 spot from Sept. to Nov. 2023. Swiatek reclaimed the ranking last November and has held it since then.

Both Sabalenka (played four WTA 500 tournaments) and Swiatek (played two events from that category) faced penalty, the Belarusian lost a total of seven points while the Pole dropped 120. Now, the three-time champion has the world No. 1 position with a 41-point gap.