Sania Mirza equals career-best fifth rank in world

PTI New Delhi, January 18 Sania Mirza took a step forward in her quest to become world number one as the Indian equalled her career-best doubles rank of five on Sunday, following her stupendous title win at the WTA Apia International with Bethanie Mattek-Sands in Sydney. Sania earned 470 points, which pushed the Indian to fifth, replacing her doubles partner Su-Wei Hsieh. Sania had achieved the top-5 rank last year too in July. Sania had a great 2014 season and she has made a decent start to the new season, reaching the semifinals at Brisbane event and winning the title in Sydney. "Being in top-five of the world in nay field feels amazing and it's wonderful to have achieved my career-best rank this week. But if I stay away from injuries, I feel I could go further in the coming months," said Sania. From Monday onwards, Sania will be seen in action at the Australian Open where she and Su-Wei are seeded second. They open their campaign against Argentina's Maria Irigoyen and Swiss girl Romina Oprandi.