Anderson tennis climb continues

Kevin Anderson has continued his charge towards the world top 20, climbing two places to a career-high 23rd in the latest ATP rankings released on Monday.

Anderson reached the fourth round of the French Open at Roland Garros, which ended at the weekend. He was eliminated by Spaniard David Ferrer, who swept through his previous rounds to reach his maiden Grand Slam final.

The 27-year-old SA men's number one was ranked 37th at the start of the season, and while his campaign was disrupted after he had elbow surgery following the Australian Open in January, a quickfire comeback and consistent performances saw him stamping his place among the best tennis players in the world this year.

Anderson had a superb start to the season when he reached the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time at the Australian Open, and he bounced back from injury by progressing to the quarterfinals of the Masters event at Indian Wells in March.

He also reached the finals of the 250 series events in Sydney in January and Casablanca in April.

And though he was fast climbing the global rankings, measured over the last 52 weeks, he was doing even better in the Race to London, calculated only on 2013 results, lying in 15th position. He would need to end the year in the top eight to qualify for the season-ending ATP World Tour Finals.

South Africa's top women's player, Chanelle Scheepers, who was knocked out in the first round at Roland Garros, dropped eight places to 68th in the WTA rankings.

(File Photo:Gallo Images)

Sapa

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