Sharapova up to second in world rankings

PARIS: Maria Sharapova's tournament win at Indian Wells on Saturday has moved her up to second place in the WTA world rankings, behind only Serena Williams.

The Russian edged ahead of Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, the Australian Open winner who was the title-holder in California, but who had to pull out at the quarter-final stage due to an ankle injury.

Sharapova, who has twice been world No.1 during her career, will have a chance to top the rankings once again when she plays in the Miami Masters starting later this week, but this time she will have Serena Williams in opposition.

WTA world rankings:
01. Serena Williams (USA) 10,365 pts
02. Maria Sharapova (RUS) 10,015 (+1)
03. Victoria Azarenka (BLR) 9,575 (-1)
04. Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) 7,395
05. Li Na (CHN) 5,880
06. Angelique Kerber (GER) 5,400
07. Sara Errani (ITA) 5,160 (+1)
08. Petra Kvitova (CZE) 5,150 (-1)
09. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 4,130 (+1)
10. Samantha Stosur (AUS) 4,005
11. Marion Bartoli (FRA) 3,155
12. Nadia Petrova (RUS) 3,050
13. Maria Kirilenko (RUS) 2,871 (+2)
14. Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) 2,695
15. Roberta Vinci (ITA) 2,545 (+1)
16. Sloane Stephens (USA) 2,490 (+1)
17. Ana Ivanovic (SRB) 2,466 (-4)
18. Venus Williams (USA) 1,940 (+2)
19. Lucie Safarova (CZE) 1,930 (-1)
20. Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) 1,905 (-1)
(AFP)