Kvitova rises to fifth in world rankings

New York, Aug 26 - Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic rose to fifth in the new WTA rankings published Sunday after winning the New Haven Open.

Kvitova defeated Russia’s Maria Kirilenko 7-6(9), 7-5 in a close-fought final Saturday to swap places with Angelique Kerber of Germany, who is now sixth in the table.

Belarus’ Victoria Azarenka remains the World No. 1 ahead of Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska and Russia’s Maria Sharapova.

Reaching the final allowed Kirilenko leapfrog Serbia’s Ana Ivanovic and Slovakia’s Dominika Cibulkova and take a career-best 12th position.

In the men’s ATP rankings, the only change in the top ten was Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro taking eighth position from Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia.

Switzerland’s Roger Federer remains World No. 1 with Serbian player Novak Djokovic second and Spain’s Rafael Nadal third.

The last Grand Slam of the year, U.S. Open starts Monday on the hard courts at Flushing Meadows here.