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With Sabalenka claiming her first major title at the Australian Open in January, and Rybakina winning the Wimbledon title between Swiatek's two major victories last year, the trio are fast becoming the WTA's new 'Big Three'.

Sabalenka, having complemented her natural power with improvements in her movement, has won more titles (three) and reached more finals (five) than anyone else this season.

On clay, the world number two lost in the Stuttgart final to Swiatek before avenging that loss by beating her to win the Madrid trophy.

However, she suffered a shock early exit in Rome which led to her saying she was "exhausted".

Meanwhile, Rybakina has elevated herself to the third favourite behind Swiatek and Sabalenka after winning the biggest clay-court title of her career in Rome.

The triumph came in peculiar circumstances, however, having seen three of her six opponents retire through injury.

That included Swiatek when the deciding set of their quarter-final was still on serve and Ukraine's Anhelina Kalinina when Rybakina was leading 6-4 1-0 in Saturday's final.

Rybakina had not previously been considered a force on the red dirt, but insists she always felt she could "play good on clay" and put her Rome success down to "experience and better preparation".

The victory lifted her to fourth in the world - although she would be in the top three alongside Swiatek and Sabalenka if ranking points had been awarded at Wimbledon - and means she is not able to face one of the top two until the semi-finals at Roland Garros.

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