Belinda Bencic is aiming at being seeded for the 2015 Australian Open following her run to the U.S. Open quarterfinals.
The 17-year-old exited the tournament against Peng Shuai, but will see her ranking rise to about No. 33. She began the year ranked below the Top 100.
Bencic is playing her first full season on tour and has attracted attention for her victories as well as her similarity to compatriot Martina Hingis. Bencic is coached by Hingis' mother, Melanie Molitor.
With her ascent, Bencic will also get straight into any tournament she wants to play, instead of having to qualify.
"I mean, yeah, it's my fourth Grand Slam. Yeah, next year maybe seeded in Australia, it's unbelievable. Next year I don't have to play any more qualies," she said.
However, the teenager will have only three tournaments to reach and stay in the Top 32, which is required to secure an Australian Open seed. She is entered in Tokyo, Beijing, and Tianjin. Because of the WTA age-eligibility rule, Bencic is restricted to playing any more tournaments than those the rest of this season.