BEIJING, March 21 (Xinhua) -- The rising momentum of Chinese women's tennis was underlined by the WTA rankings released on Monday as the country has five players ranked altogether on the top 100 for the first time.
The 19-year-old Yuan Meng, who had never been called up for the national team, became the latest Chinese player to make the top 100 ranking.
The teenager joined the other four who have been already there, including Li Na, Peng Shuai, Zheng Jie and Yan Zi.
Chinese women's tennis has made quick progress in the past two years, highlighted by its feats in the 2004 Athens Olympics and the Australian Open.
Li Ting and Sun Tiantian made history by winning China first Olympic tennis title in the women's doubles in Athens before ZhengJie and Yan Zi paired to capture China first Grand Slam champion in Melbourne.
Yuan Meng brought another happy surprise, moving up from 111th to 100th in two weeks after reaching the third round of the Indian Wells Masters Series last week.
She upset the 23rd seed Catalina Castano of Colombia 7-6 (5), 6-2 on March 11 to reach the last 32 and set her personal best record, before losing to the 10th-seeded Russian Dinara Safina 6-3,6-1 one day later.
Li Na also rose to the 60th place after making the last 16 at Indian Wells, becoming the current highest-ranked Chinese player.
Peng Shuai, Zheng Jie and Yan Zi were placed 62nd, 65th and 76th respectively following their first round exits at the tournament. Sun Tiantian and Li Ting were ranked 124th and 193rd apiece.
On the doubles rankings, Zheng Jie and Yan Zi each kept their positions at the 13th and 14th, followed by Li Ting (30th), Sun Tiantian (31st), Peng Shuai(65th) and Li Na (97th). Enditem
