On Tuesday, she will create history at French Opens. The world No 72 will become the first Indian woman to take part in this Grand Slam tournament when she faces Gisela Dulko of Argentina in the first round match.

Tennis ace Sania Mirza received a huge boost ahead of her French Open campaign as the Hyderabad girl reached a career-best 70 in the latest WTA singles ranking.

Sania also improved her doubles rankings, as did most of the Indian players.

The only Indian woman with an WTA title under her belt, Sania had been placed 72nd in the previous ranking. Though she could not qualify for the WTA event at Strasbourg which marked her comeback from an ankle injury, the Indian moved two steps up the ranking ladder to finish 70th - thus inching towards her target of breaking into the top 50.

Now, the 18-year-old Mirza is set to create history as the first Indian woman to get a direct entry into a Grand Slam singles draw. At a career-high position of 72 in the WTA world list, she has been ranked just 206th at the end of last year....