Although Sharapova was unable to repeat her 2004 Wimbledon triumph this year, she has stalked Lindsay Davenport for months before finally supplanting the US veteran atop the rankings.

Sharapova had appeared on course to secure the top spot a week ago, needing only to reach the semi-finals at the WTA Tour event in Carson, California.

Her hopes then were dashed when a strained pectoral muscle began to bother her, forcing her to withdraw before her quarterfinal match.

Determined to be fit for the US Open, the final Grand Slam of the year that starts on August 29 in New York, Sharapova then skipped the Tier One tournament in Toronto that ended on Sunday.

But with Davenport also idle, it didn't stop the glamorous Russian grabbing the coveted No. 1 days before the US Open draw.

"To be honest, I was surprised I was number one up until today," Davenport said Sunday as she prepared to compete in the US Open tuneup in New Haven, Connecticut.

For Sharapova, achieving the top spot while sitting on the sidelines took none of the gloss off the accomplishment.

"You have to achieve something in order to get there," she said as she looked toward her impending coronation. It has been an amazing two years. It has been all hard work and dedication. The achievement is amazing."

Belgian Kim Clijsters, who defeated compatriot Justine Henin-Hardenne in the Toronto final on Sunday, climbed four places to fourth in the rankings, behind now number two Davenport and France's Amelie Mauresmo.

Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova, struggling as her defence of her US Open title looms, fell a spot to fifth ahead of compatriot Elena Demen-tieva. Henin-Hardenne dropped two places to seventh, while Australian Open champion Serena Williams fell one spot from seventh to eighth.

To finish off the top 10, Russian Nadia Petrova and American Venus Williams swapped places, Petrova stepping up to ninth and Williams dropping a notch to 10th.

FACTFILE
Name: Maria Sharapova
Birthday: April 19, 1987
Nationality: Russian
Height: 1.83m

Weight: 59kg
Plays: right-handed, two-handed backhand
Turned professional: 2001
Career highlights
Tournament titles (10)
2005: Tokyo, Doha, Birmingham
2004: Birmingham, Wimbledon, Seoul, Tokyo, WTA Championships
2003: Tokyo, Quebec
Grand Slam highlights
Won Wimbledon 2004. Semifinalist Australian Open, Wimbledon 2005. Quarterfinalist French Open 2004 and 2005. Three Grand Slam doubles titles.
Career prize money: 4,009,039 dollars (3,241,985 euros)