Tennis

Li Na makes to historical WTA top 10, Zheng 20th

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-02-01 16:53

BEIJING: Australian Open semifinalist Li Na becomes the first Chinese player ever to enter the WTA rankings top 10 when new rankings were released on Monday.

Li Na makes to historical WTA top 10, Zheng 20th

Tennis players Zheng Jie (L) and Li Na of China pose with their national flag during the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 27, 2010.[Agencies]

The Chinese, 27, who lost to top seed Serena Williams in Australian Open semifinal last Thursday, stepped up seven places to reach a career-high No 10 when WTA official website released the new rankings after the tournament.

Her compatriot Zheng Jie, who also made the semifinal in the Australian Open but was eliminated by Belgian Justine Henin, upgraded 15 places to rank 20.

Li and Zheng made history by becoming the first two Chinese players to reach the top four of a Grand Slam tournament simultaneously.

Williams, who beat Henin in Saturday's Australian Open final, has extended her current stretch at No 1 to 15 weeks.

Dinara Safina of Russia was No 2, followed by US Open finalist Caroline Wozniacki at a career-high No 3. French Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova at No 4 and Australian Open quarterfinalist Venus Williams at No 5.