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NEW DELHI, Jan. 29: Despite a second-round exit at the Australian Open, Sania Mirza was back among the world’s top 50 by gaining five spots to be at 48th place in the latest WTA Tour rankings.

The 20-year-old Hyderabad girl defeated Ukrainian Olga Savchuk in the first round before going down tamely to Japan’s Aiko Nakamura to bow out of the singles draw in the first Grand Slam tournament of the year.

Sania was benefitted by the drop in rankings of Americans Shenay Perry and an out-of-scene Venus Williams, as well as Russian Elena Vesnina. Shikha Uberoi, the next highest Indian in the rankings, dropped 20 places to be 228th.

Australian Open champion Serena Williams had a steep climb from 81st to 14th place while beaten finalist Maria Sharapova of Russia took over the top ranking from Belgian Justine Henin-Hardenne.

Czech Republic’s Nicole Vaidisova, who made it all the way to the last four, entered into the top-10 list by gaining three spots to be ninth. Another semi-finalist, Belgian Kim Clijsters, moved one place up to fourth.

Sania, who teamed up with Spaniard Anabel Medina Garrigues to make it to the third round in women’s doubles, gained two spots to be at 23rd position. Shikha is the only other Indian in the top-100 at no. 92.

Leander Paes, who did not have a great run in Melbourne, partnering Czech Republic’s Martin Damm, dropped two places to 12th on the ATP rankings. Mahesh Bhupathi, who reached the quarter-finals with Czech Radek Stepanek, rose two spots to 27th. [Source : The Statesman/PTI]