SA doubles hero climbs up world rankings
South Africa's Raven Klaasen jumped 15 places in world doubles tennis rankings while singles player Kevin Anderson dropped one spot yesterday when the ATP rankings were released.
Despite reaching the fourth round of the Australian Open in the men's singles, Anderson continued his slide out of the top 20, slipping from 21 to 22 this week.
The big-serving Anderson had been struggling on the ATP tour, but signalled a comeback when he twice came from two sets down to win through to the fourth round in Melbourne.
It was his nemesis Tomas Berdych who powered his way to a 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 victory over Anderson to end the South African's run. Berdych has beaten him in all 10 encounters between the pair.
Klaasen flew the South African flag at Melbourne Park, reaching the final of the men's doubles at the Australian Open with American partner Eric Butorac.
Along the way, the pair dispatched the top-seeded Bryan brothers and eighth seeds Daniel Nestor of Canada and Nenad Zimonjic from Serbia.
Finishing runners-up after being outclassed by Poland's Lukasz Kubot and Sweden's Robert Lindstedt in the doubles final on Saturday 31-year-old Klaasen was elevated to his highest ever ranking, moving from 45th position to 30th.
Butorac climbed 14 places to 34th, reversing his trend after he had reached a career high 17 in 2011.
In women's tennis Chani Scheepers continued her rollercoaster ride, moving up one spot to 78 in the singles while dropping from 49 to 50 in doubles.
Despite a good performance in the Junior Australian Open reaching the third round, 17-year-old Ilze Hattingh went from 75 to 79 in the girls junior rankings.
Evans Maripa dropped one place from 15 to 16 in the men's singles wheelchair tennis rankings while climbing two spots, from 18 to 16, in the doubles. Women's singles player Kgothatso Montjane retained her sixth and eighth spots in singles and doubles, respectively.
Lucas Sithole retained his singles and doubles rankings after reaching the finals in both quad events at the Australian Open.
He was beaten by world number one David Wagner from the US in both finals, to remain at number two in the singles and seven in the doubles.
(File photo:Gallo Images)
- Sapa