Rediff

Mumbai, Jan 15: Sania Mirza's impressive showing at the Moorilla Open International tournament in Hobart catapulted her ranking 13 places up to place the Indian ace at 53rd spot in the WTA charts released on Monday.

Sania last week defeated world No 29 Maria Kirilenko of Russia, Romina Oprandi of Italy and Alicia Molik of Australia en route to the Hobart semifinals where she went down to 13th ranked Russian Anna Chakvetadze.

The semifinal appearance in Hobart boosted the Hyderabadi to 431 points to once again get closer to the top-50 on the ranking ladder.

The Indian ace, however, slipped one place to be 25th in the doubles ranking.

Sania, partnering Molik, had reached the doubles quarterfinal at the Hobart tournament.

Among other Indian women on the tour, Shikha Uberoi (208) maintained her ranking while Ankita Bhambri (413), Isha Lakhani (421) and Rushmi Chakravarthi (422) moved up one place each.

In the men's doubles ranking, India Davis Cup captain and Asian Games gold medallist Leander Paes moved one place up to be at 10th position. His gold winning partner at Doha, Mahesh Bhupathi, also climbed one notch for the 29th position.