Kvitova up to third in WTA rankings

PARIS, Feb 25 (AFP): Petra Kvitova moved back into the top three of the WTA rankings on Monday after reaching the final of the Dubai Championships, while Naomi Osaka retained the world number one spot.

Czech Kvitova, who was ranked second after last month's Australian Open final defeat by Osaka, reached her third final of the year before losing to Belinda Bencic on Saturday.

Japan's Osaka remains at the rankings summit despite her shock exit to Kristina Mladenovic in her first match since winning in Melbourne.

The 21-year-old Bencic climbed 22 places to 23rd after claiming her first title since Toronto in 2015.

Meanwhile, Greek youngster Stefanos Tsitsipas moved to the brink of breaking into the world's top 10 on Monday after winning the second ATP Tour title of his career in Marseille.

The 20-year-old, who stunned Roger Federer en route to the Australian Open semi-finals last month, eased to the title in France without dropping a set, beating Mikhail Kukushkin in Sunday's final.

Tsitsipas is now ranked 11th, with former US Open champion Marin Cilic next in his sights.

Novak Djokovic remains clear at the rankings summit, despite not playing since winning the Australian Open.