Date:02/09/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/09/02/stories/2006090206911800.htm

Sport - Badminton

Saina jumps to 41st spot

New Delhi: Saina Nehwal's pre-quarterfinal appearance in the Korean Open ensured that she jumped to her best ever ranking of 41 in the latest World badminton rankings.

Saina gained 10 places from the 51st position, one place better than her highest of 42, which she had occupied after winning the Philippines Open, to become the first Indian woman to win a Grand Prix event.

Compatriot Aditi Mutatkar also made a remarkable upward move to 132 from 172, though all other women shuttlers dropped down in the rankings calculated up to the Korean Open, according to information received here on Friday.

Trupti Murgunde (80), Jwala Gutta (158), B.R. Meenakshi (209) and Sayali Gokhale (212) all slipped down the ladder.

Among men, only P. Kashyap moved up — from 99th to 96th, while Chetan Anad slipped five places, but still remained the highest ranking Indian male at 27. Anup Sridhar lost three places to finish 36th and Arvind Bhat (49) retains his previous week's place. — UNI