Scheepers Improves In Ranking

South Africa’s top-ranked women’s player, Chanelle Scheepers, has climbed back up the world tennis rankings after a solid performance in Rome last week.

Scheepers, who reached the third round at the Italian Open, rose five places to 45th in the latest global list released on Monday.

The 28-year-old edged past Australian Jarmila Gajdosova in straight sets in her opening match in the Italian capital, and fought back from a set down to beat Marina Erakovic of New Zealand in the second round.

She was eliminated by French Open champion Li Na of China, going down 6-7, 2-6 in the third round.

Kevin Anderson, the SA men’s No 1, was knocked out in the first round in Rome, losing 4-6, 5-7 against former world No 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain.

The men’s world rankings, however, had not yet been updated, with the final between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal postponed to Monday due to rain.

Anderson was ranked 35th in the men’s list ahead of the Rome tournament.