19 Feb 2013

Williams oldest world number one

12:17 pm on 19 February 2013

Serena Williams has been confirmed as the oldest number one in womens tennis despite her loss to Victoria Azarenka in the Qatar Open.

The 31-year-old American becomes the oldest woman to claim the top spot, swapping places with Azarenka, ahead of Russia's Maria Sharapova who stays at number three.

Williams win over the former Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova last Friday guaranteed her return to the top ranking, which she thought would never happen again.

New Zealand's Marina Erakovic, ranked 71 in the world, is back on tour - Erakovic is playing the Memphis Indoor championship, having recovered from a thumb injury.