The 52.61 level has some importance today as a weekly close. It is not a pivotal resistance but it is somewhat indicative given that a close above that level will suggest that the 42.36 low seen in September is a strong low, whereas a close below 52.61 will leave the door open for that low to be broken. Key phrase is "leave the door open", not suggesting that it will be broken but just that the traders would still not yet depend on that low as a major low.
I believe that the bulls will not be able to close above that level because there are still many fundamental factors, at least as far as the economy of the U.S. is concerned, that are still weighing on the minds of the traders.
A close below that level simply means uncertainty while a close above that level would suggest that no matter what happens with the economy that oil has seen a price support that is not likely to be broken.
The close today (above or below that level) will not be suggestive on what oil is to do over the short to mid term. The weekly close resistance at 53.99 (55.25 on an intraweek basis) is still pivotal as to whether the sideways trend is to continue or an uptrend is to begin.