Maria Sharapova jumps to No. 1 world women's ranking

Maria Sharapova took over the WTA Tour's No. 1 ranking Monday from Lindsay Davenport, who held the top spot since October.

Sharapova advanced despite her withdrawal before the Rogers Cup in Toronto because of injury. She is the 15th player to be No. 1 -- and first from Russia -- since the tour began its computer rankings in 1975.

"I know there is a lot of responsibility that comes along with being No. 1," the 18-year-old Russian said. "And I want to represent women's tennis with the same class and style as the other great players, like Steffi Graf, Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, Monica Seles, Lindsay and the others."

Davenport, now No. 2, also did not compete in Toronto because of a lower back injury and did not have enough points to stay ahead of Sharapova. The Californian has been No. 1 for 82 weeks -- although not consecutively -- during her career.

Sharapova started the year at No. 4 has won six titles in the last 12 months in addition to her 2004 Wimbledon crown and season-ending title at the Tour Championships. She has reached at least the semifinals in eight of her last 11 WTA Tour events. Her record is 43-7.

Sharapova is one of four Russians in the top 10. France's Amelie Mauresmo, a semifinalist loser in Toronto, remained No. 3 and Belgium's Kim Clijsters jumped four spots to No. 4 after winning the Rogers Cup.

Svetlana Kuznetsova is No. 5, followed by Elena Dementieva, Justine Henin-Hardenne, Serena Williams, Nadia Petrova and Venus Williams.

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