New Delhi, Feb 2 (IANS): Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Ashwini Ponnappa on Tuesday broke into the top 20 of the mixed doubles badminton rankings for the first time in their career. The Indian pair jumped 16 places after their performances in the two Thailand Open tournaments in Bangkok last month.

Their previous best ranking was 23rd which they achieved on July 30, 2019. "Mixed doubles duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Ashwini Ponnappa enters top 20 in the latest BWF World Ranking (sic). A fantastic show in the Asian Leg ensures career-best ranking and a jump of 16 spots for the Indian shuttlers. Kudos Guys," Badminton Association of India said in a tweet.

China's Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong remain the top ranked mixed doubles pair.

Ashwini and Rankireddy reached the pre-quarters of the Yonex Thailand Open where they were beaten by Chinese pair of Chang Tak Ching and Ng Wing Yung.

In the Toyota Thailand Open, the pair reached the semi-finals, where they lost to Thailand's Sapsiree Taerattanachai and Dechapol Puavaranukroh.

Meanwhile, Ashwini and her women's doubles partner N. Sikki Reddy went down a spot to 29 after a dismal show in Bangkok. Ashwini and Sikki were knocked out in the first round of both Thailand Open tournaments.

In men's doubles, Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty remain at 10th position. Rankireddy and Shetty reached the second round of the Yonex Thailand Open and then reached the semi-finals of the Toyota Thailand Open.

In men's singles rankings, Kidambi Srikanth has moved up by a spot and is placed at the 13th spot while Sai Praneeth has dropped a spot to the 17th place.

In women's singles category, PV Sindhu has maintained her seventh place while Saina Nehwal has made a one-spot jump and is placed at the 19 spot.