Leander Paes breaks into top-50 after doubles win at Newport Beach Challenger

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New Delhi, January 29: Veteran star Leander Paes regained his place in the top-50, courtesy a Challenger title at the Newport Beach event. He jumped 14 places to 47 in the latest doubles rankings, issued on Monday (January 29).

Paes had partnered American James Cerretani for the Newport Beach tournament, which fetched him 125 ranking points. They beat Treat Huey and Denis Kudla 6-4, 7-5 in the final.

Needless to say, Paes was pleased getting back into the top-50. "What a fun week in Newport and even better winning it!" Paes, 44, said on Twitter. "Thank you to my partner James and to the tournament for a great show.. also, looks like I'm sweating hearts now."

This week, he is playing at the $125,000 Dallas event, for which he has partnered Briton Joe Salisbury.

Rohan Bopanna is India's top-ranked doubles player at number 20 after losing a place and is followed by left-hander Divij Sharan, who has gained three places to get to a career- best 45.

In the singles, Yuki Bhambri, who qualified for main draw of the just-concluded Australian Open and lost in first round, gained eight places to be ranked 118.

Bhambri is followed by Ramkumar Ramanathan (140, +1), Sumit Nagal (218, -1), Prajnesh Gunneswran (244, +3) and N Sriram Balaji (391, +2).