Sania back in top-40; Venus Williams up 14 places

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New Delhi, July 9 (UNI) Her second round exit from the just-concluded Wimbledon notwithstanding, Sania Mirza climbed six rungs up the ladder to 38th in the latest WTA singles leaderboard released today.

Sania, who lost to Russian Nadia Petrova in Round Two at The Championships, was previously placed 44th in the rankings. The Hyderabadi girl also gained two spots to 38 in the latest doubles' rankings.

Among other Indian women, Sunitha Rao gained a spot to 264 while Shikha Uberoi came tumbling down 39 spots to 326 in singles' chart.

Meanwhile, American Venus Williams jumped 14 places to 17th courtesy her sensational win at Wimbledon. Runner-up Marion Bartoli (11) of France also gained eight spots and is on the verge of breaking into the top-10 for the first time.

Atop the table, Justin Henin held on to her numero uno spot with Russian beauty Maria Sharapova also clinging to the second spot.

In the men's section, Indian ace Leander Paes moved up one place to ninth in the ATP Doubles Rankings. His partner Martin Damm of Czech Republic also gained a spot to eighth. Another Indian, Mahesh Bhupathi dropped down a place to 21 even as brothers-in-arms Bob and Mike Bryan of America jointly held the pace.

Meanwhile Paes and Damm, who were ousted in the quarterfinals at the Wimbledon, were at fourth spot in the latest ATP Doubles Race.

UNI