New Delhi: Top female table tennis player Manika Batra reached a career-best singles ranking of 24 after her success at the Saudi Smash, becoming the first Indian female paddler to reach the top-25 in the world rankings.
The 28-year-old Khel Ratna award winner, who was ranked 39th before the tournament, jumped 15 places after her run in Jeddah, where she reached the quarter-finals.
Manika, the 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medalist in the individual and tea categories, had stunned multiple-time world champion and Olympic gold medalist Wang Manyu of China (seeded second) by reaching the last-eight in the Saud Smash.
This was the first time that an Indian female player advanced so far in the tournament. Manika's lead through the draw ultimately yielded 350 points.
In an Instagram post, Manika, who created history by becoming the first Indian paddler to reach the women's singles quarterfinals in Hangzhou last year, wrote that the rise in ranking has come at the right time as she aims to seal a berth at the Paris Olympics.
Manika wrote, "Increased confidence on the road to Paris 2024. Finishing in the top-2 and achieving the best rank ever achieved by an Indian in ITTF women's singles ranking."
Manika also thanked her coach Aman Balagu and fellow Belarusian Kirill Barabano for her success.
He added, "Thank you all for your blessings and support. Especially to my coach @amanbalgu, my partner @kirill_barabanov and my family for their continued support. Onwards and upwards towards Paris 2024."
The 28-year-old Khel Ratna award winner, who was ranked 39th before the tournament, jumped 15 places after her run in Jeddah, where she reached the quarter-finals.
Manika, the 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medalist in the individual and tea categories, had stunned multiple-time world champion and Olympic gold medalist Wang Manyu of China (seeded second) by reaching the last-eight in the Saud Smash.
This was the first time that an Indian female player advanced so far in the tournament. Manika's lead through the draw ultimately yielded 350 points.
In an Instagram post, Manika, who created history by becoming the first Indian paddler to reach the women's singles quarterfinals in Hangzhou last year, wrote that the rise in ranking has come at the right time as she aims to seal a berth at the Paris Olympics.
Manika wrote, "Increased confidence on the road to Paris 2024. Finishing in the top-2 and achieving the best rank ever achieved by an Indian in ITTF women's singles ranking."
Manika also thanked her coach Aman Balagu and fellow Belarusian Kirill Barabano for her success.
He added, "Thank you all for your blessings and support. Especially to my coach @amanbalgu, my partner @kirill_barabanov and my family for their continued support. Onwards and upwards towards Paris 2024."
