Sania moves up 13 places in world rankings

Sania Mirza has jumped 13 places to be ranked 53rd in the women's singles international tennis rankings released on Monday.

Sania, who will open her Australian Open campaign against Ukranian Olva Savchuk, made it to the semi-finals of the recently concluded Moorilla Open International tournament in Hobart.

En route to her semi-final, where she lost to Russian Anna Chakvetadze, she defeated world no. 29 Maria Kirilenko of Russia, Romina Oprandi of Italy and her doubles partner Alicia Molik of Australia.

The semi-final appearance helped Sania garner 431 points to once again get closer to the top-50 on the ranking ladder.

The Indian, however, slipped one place to be 25th in the doubles ranking. Sania, partnering Molik, had reached the doubles quarterfinal at the Hobart tournament.

In the men's doubles ranking, Indian Davis Cup captain and Asian Games gold medallist Leander Paes moved one place up to be at the 10th position while Mahesh Bhupathi, also climbed up one place to be at the 29th place.

Source : DNAIndia.com