Snakes n’ Ladders: Diyas soars after Jankovic shock
Originally published on: 25/10/10 12:54
Victor Troicki wasn’t the only one to make an impression at the Kremlin Cup last week as the Russian capital played host to a number of surprises.
World No.70 Paulo Cuevas and No.43 Denis Istomin both boosted their respective rankings after making sterling semi-final runs, while Horacio Zeballos reached the quarter-finals and leapt 12 places to No.77.
However, the tournament had the opposite effect on 2009 semi-finalists Mikhail Kukushkin (who fell 14 places) and Illya Marchenko, who is now perilously close to dropping out the top 100 after tumbling 23 spots.
Meanwhile, the women’s draw in Moscow saw the shock of the week when 17-year-old Zarina Diyas emphatically defeated top seed Jelena Jankovic in round two, a win that lifts the Kazak nearly 100 places to No.172.
“I had nothing to lose,” admitted Diyas, who defeated the former world No.1 6-1 6-2. “I just relaxed and played my best tennis.”
In the week’s other WTA tournament in Luxembourg, Britain’s Anne Keothavong put together one of her best runs of the year to make the last four.
“I hope to build on my performances this week because it’s been a great week overall,” said the British No.2 after eventual champ Roberta Vinci ended her positive run in the semi-finals. Wins over Virginie Razzano, Patty Schnyder and Iveta Benesova saw her climb 19 places to 125th this week.
Elsewhere, the big-serving Taylor Dent returns to the top 100 after making the last 16 in Stockholm, while Fabio Fognini’s victory on the clay in a ATP Challenger event in Chile lifts him eight places to 62nd.
Movers
Zarina Diyas – the 17-year-old rose an impressive 96 places to 172nd after defeating Jelena Jankovic in Moscow.
Horacio Zeballos – the Argentinian was the biggest climber in the men’s top 100 following his quarter-final run in Russia.
Rui Machado – reaches a career high No.95 after making the semis in a ATP Challenger event in Chile.
Shakers
Mikhail Kukushkin – The Kazak could not repeat his 2009 semi-final run in Moscow, subsequently dropping 14 places.
Illya Marchenko – Like Kukushkin, he struggled to reach the form he showed last year at the Kremlin Cup to fall 23 places to No.99.
Olga Govotsova – Finalist in the Kremlin Cup last year, the Belarusian was humbled in the opening round.
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