The American moved up one place courtesy of her victory in Melbourne where she got the better of sister Venus 6-4, 6-4 in the final on Saturday for a record 23rd Grand Slam title.

Kerber's defence of her Australian Open crown ended with a last 16 loss to Coco Vandeweghe with the German now down to second and her American nemesis up 15 rungs to 20th.

Melbourne quarter-finalist Karolina Pliskova climbs two spots to third.

WTA rankings on Monday, January 30

1. Serena Williams (USA) 7.780 pts (+1)

2. Angelique Kerber (GER) 7.115 (-1)

3. Karolina Pliskova (CZE) 5.270 (+2)

4. Simona Halep (ROM) 5.073

5. Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) 4.985 (+1)

6. Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) 4.915 (-3)

7. Garbine Muguruza (ESP) 4.720

8. Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) 3.915 (+2)

10. Johanna Konta (GBR) 3.705 (-1)

11. Venus Williams (USA) 3.530 (+6)

12. Petra Kvitova (CZE) 3.415 (-1)

13. Elina Svitolina (UKR) 2.955

14. Carla Suarez (ESP) 2.625 (-2)

15. Timea Bacsinszky (SUI) 2.347

16. Elena Vesnina (RUS) 2.357 (+2)

17. Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) 2.295 (-1)

18. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 2.295 (+2)

19. Victoria Azarenka (BLR) 2.161 (-5)

20. Coco Vandeweghe (USA) 2.136 (+15)