NAGPUR: Nagpur's star shuttler Malvika Bansod moved 27 places up to 84 in the world badminton rankings after her fine finish in the India Open, where the 20-year-old surprised former Saina Nehwal to become only the second Indian after PV Sindhu to beat former World No 1 in any domestic or international circuit since 2007.
In the latest badminton world rankings, Malvika jumped from 111th to the 84th position with 22502 points. For her entry into the quarterfinal of the recently held India Open badminton tournament, the left-handed Malvika gained 5040 points to reach her career best rankings in the women's singles.
As per the Badminton World Federation (BWF) rankings, Malvika is now India No 5 behind PV Sindhu, Saina, Aakarshi Kashyap and Ashmita Chaliha.
She is being closely followed by Ira Sharma at the 88th position. The other Nagpur shuttler Mugdha Agrey remained static at the 96th position.
A total of seven Indian women shuttlers are in the top 100 of world rankings in the women's singles category with Sindhu leading the chart.
In the India Open Malvika took just 34 minutes to get the better of her idol Saina in straight games 21-17, 21-9 in their first encounter ever. With this victory over the Olympic medalist the southpaw qualified for the quarterfinals where she lost to India No. 3 Aakarshi.
