Sania slips to 38th spot

May 23, 2006

Sania Mirza slipped three rungs to 38th ahead of her return to action in the Istanbul Open, while comeback queen Martina Hingis marched into the top-20 at 14th in the latest WTA rankings issued on Monday.

Sania Mirza slipped three rungs to 38th ahead of her return to action in the Istanbul Open, while comeback queen Martina Hingis marched into the top-20 at 14th in the latest WTA rankings issued on Monday.

Sania, who is seeded fifth in the Isatanbul Open, has 515.50 ranking points and remains the highest placed Indian in the list. The Indian ace will open her campaign in Istanbul in against wild card entrant and local favourite Ipek Senoglu -- ranked way below at 889th in the WTA list, which continues to be headed by French Amelie Mauresmo (3272).

Meanwhile, Hingis, who quit playing owing to nagging foot and ankle injuries in 2002, has made a remarkable upward climb since coming bac. The Swiss star -- ranked 9,999 last year -- won the Italian Open on Sunday and has now jumped to the 14th spot.