Madrid, May 9 (IANS): The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) announced that Hsieh Su-Wei will rise to the World No.1 doubles ranking Monday, joining her doubles partner Peng Shuai as co-No.1.
Hsieh and Peng are currently fifth as a pair on the Road to Singapore rankings for the WTA Championships Singapore and they have a chance to improve to second spot this week in Madrid. The top-eight qualify.
India's Sania Mirza is ranked No.8 with her partner Cara Black of Zimbabwe as No.9. But as a pair, they are ranked No.3, behind Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci of Italy and Russians Elena Vesnina and Ekaterina Makarova.
Hsieh is the first player from Chinese Taipei to ascend to the WTA World No.1 doubles ranking. Hsieh and Peng are the 10th team in WTA history to stand as co-No.1 in the WTA doubles rankings.
"It is a great accomplishment for Hsieh Su-Wei to join Peng Shuai as co-World No.1s," said WTA Chairman and CEO, Stacey Allaster. "Not only are Hsieh and Peng a great doubles team, but they are an inspiration to the fans throughout the Asia-Pacific region. "
"Reaching No.1 in the world is a great feeling," said Hsieh. "We have been working really hard as a team. I was very proud of Peng reached No.1 earlier this year and now I am happy we can share the No.1 rankings."
"Our goal this year is to reach Singapore," explained Peng. "It is nice to share the doubles No.1 ranking with Su-Wei and we look forward to playing together the rest of the year, trying to reach The WTA Championships."
Hsieh teamed up with Peng for a breakthrough year in 2013, winning five doubles titles, highlighted by their first major championship at Wimbledon and the WTA Championships.