Sania rises to 55th in latest WTA rankings

New Delhi, Oct 2 (UNI) Sania Mirza continued her resurgence in the WTA singles rankings and gained four places to be 55th in the latest list issued today.

The Indian ace, who created a stir by upsetting world number eight Martina Hingis in the Korean Open, has 428 ranking points. Her rise comes after dropping out of the top-50 following ordinary performances in major events this year.

The Hyderabadi will now be seen in action in the WTA tier IV Tashkent Open beginning today and will take on a lowly Pauline Parmentier of France in the opening round.

Sania is seeded third behind Maria Elena Camerin of Italy (47) and Elena Vesnina of Russia (51) in the tournament.

Meanwhile, among the other Indians in the WTA list, the US-based Shikha Uberoi is the next behind Sania at the 219th position, rising 13 places from her last week's standing with 119.25 ranking points.

Ankita Bhambri (51) has also made some upward movement by rising six places to 363 in the list followed by Isha Lakhani (45.50) at the 389th spot. Veteran Rushmi Chakravarthi (34.75) is at 456th and Ankita's sister Sanaa remains static at 657 with 17.25 ranking points.

In the WTA doubles list, Sania continued to hold on to her career high 26th with 1070 points but Shikha (175.75) fell 43 places to 175. Rushmi (54), however, rose five places to 376. Ankita (43.50) and Sanaa (43) are at the 437th and 440th spot respectively.

The rankings continue to be led by French Amelie Mauresmo (3746) with Justine Henin-Hardenne (3474) at the second spot. The list largely remains unchanged except for Russian Dinara Safina -- sister of former US Open champion Marat Safin -- entering the top 10.

In the ATP doubles list, Leander Paes and his former partner Mahest Bhupathi continue to be ninth and 25th respectively.

In the singles rankings, Rohan Bopanna slipped two spots to 275th this week followed by Harsh Mankad, who gained seven places to be at the 315th position.

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