Sindhu rises to second spot in BWF rankings

Rio Olympic silver medallist Shuttler P.V. Sindhu reached her career best world rankings, grabbing the number two position with 75759 points in the latest Badminton World Federation (BWF) rankings released on Thursday.

Sindhu, who recently clinched the India Open title defeating Carolina Marin of Spain in the summit clash, moved three places up to number two spot, superseding Japan's Akane Yamugachi and thus becoming the second Indian woman to break into the top-five of the world rankings.

Saina Nehwal, who lost in the opening round of the ongoing Malaysia Open, however, moved one place down to ninth spot with 64279 points in the rankings, which is led by Tai Tzu Ying of Chinese Taipei with 87911 points. Marin remained in third spot with 75664 points.

In the men's singles rankings, Ajay Jayaram, who on Thursday defeated Viktor Axelsen of Denmark 9-21, 21-14, 21-19 to move into the quarter-finals of the Malaysia Open, remained the highest ranked Indian on 20th spot.

Jayaram's match which lasted around 44 minutes at the Stadium Perpaduan - 3 here, saw a fightback from the Indian shuttler after dropping the opening game 9-11. But Jayaram gave a much better display in the second and third games to settle the issue. In the first game, it was a neck and neck competition but soon Axelsen took complete control of the opening game with some attacking shots. But the second game saw a great fightback from the Indian shuttler to bag the game 21-14. Continuing his dominance, Jayaram hit some great shots and showed swift court movements in the decider game.