KUALA LUMPUR: S. Sivasangari has achieved a milestone as she moved up one rung to a new career-best ranking of No. 14 as she sailed into the quarter-finals of the Florida Open.
Buoyant by her achievement, Sivasangari has set her sights on breaking into the top 10 this year.
The 24-year-old moved from No. 15 to No. 14 when the new PSA Tour rankings were released on Tuesday.
Sivasangari must break into the top 10 for better support under the Road To Gold (RTG) programme.
National coach Ajaz Azmat said Sivasangari moved up a rung following the retirement of American Olivia Clyne, who was ranked No. 14.
"Sivasangari is slowly but surely moving in the right direction. I hope it fires her up to achieve better results and improve her ranking.
"Although top 10 is the target, we will be happy if she can break into the top 12 by this year," said Ajaz.
On Thursday, Sivasangari reached the Florida Open quarter-finals after ousting England's Lucy Beecroft 11-6, 11-7, 11-13, 11-8.
The Asian Games champion will play Egypt's Nour El Sherbini later today for a place in the semi-finals.
Sivasangari is using the tournament to prepare for the Tournament of Champions in New York, which begins on Jan 17.
