Maria Sharapova Moves to the seventh spot in rankings

May 17, 2011, 08:17 by R.E. Christian

Maria Sharapova inched up one spot to seventh in the last world women's tennis rankings before the draws for the French Open are announced.

Sharapova is 16-3 in her last four tournaments. She won Sunday's title match in Rome and was also a finalist in Miami. That she claimed a victory on the clay court in Rome makes her a factor to consider at the French Open -- the only Grand Slam event she's never won.

Her move to seventh forced Samantha Stosur, whom she beat in the Rome final, to eighth. The only other change in the women's Top 10 had Petra Kvitova reaching a career-best No. 9 ranking while Jelena Jankovic fell to 10th.

Carolina Wozniacki is on top of the rankings with 10,105 points, ahead of Kim Clijsters (8,115), who is expected to return from injuries in time for the French Open, which begins next week. Vera Zvonareva (7,675) is third and Victoria Azarenka (5,425) remains in fourth.

French Open defending champion Francesca Schiavone will have 2,000 ranking points at stake in Paris. She's fifth now with 5,047 points while Li Na (4,775) is sixth. Sharapova has 4,761 points and Stosur has earned 4,645. Kvitova (3743) is just 73 points up on Jankovic (3,670).

Source: UPI