It's safe to say that's it's been one of the more unpredictable seasons on the WTA Tour in recent years. One of the things that has stood out the most is that there appears to be no clear-cut No. 1.

Serena Williams, who currently holds the top spot, fell early at all three majors this year. Reigning Australian Open champion Li Na appeared to be making a run toward ascendancy after starting 2014 off in stunning fashion. But after suffering early-round losses at the French Open and Wimbledon, she recently parted ways with her coach Carlos Rodriguez and is looking to get back on track.
 
Maria Sharapova, this year's French Open champion, came closest to showing some signs of dominance with her impressive run on the red clay. And she seemed poised to take the title at Wimbledon after the early upsets at the tournament. However, the 2004 champion was unable to take advantage of the open draw and joined the favorites on the sideline when she fell to Angelique Kerber.
 
Perhaps it's a testament to the continued depth in the game that it has grown unclear who truly deserves to be on top. The top 20 features a mixture of newcomers and veterans still capable of showing they have some tricks up their sleeves, like surprise Indian Wells champion Flavia Pennetta in Indian Wells and surprise Roland Garros semifinalist Andrea Petkovic.
 
Both of those players have made comebacks from significant injuries over the years to find themselves on the cusp of the top 10. And while they're not likely to challenge for the top spot at this point in their careers, they still complicate matters when it comes to one player dominating the tour.
 
Simona Halep has displayed an impressive level of consistency all year. She's won titles in bunches over the past couple of seasons and in 2014, went from the finals of the French Open to the semifinals of Wimbledon, one of the strongest runs of the season. If she wins the U. S. Open, she'd have a solid case for being considered the top player in the game this year.
 
Another player in the same position is the young Canadian Eugenie Bouchard. Each Grand Slam has gone better for her than the last, and she appears to be knocking on the door of the top spot. There isn't much doubt that she'll get there at some point, but it might be too late for 2014, unless she captures that first major at the U. S. Open and goes on a big run from there.
 
That could put to rest any wondering about who deserves the top spot. But, if the season has been any indication, the odds are the wondering will continue.