Mark Dadswell
Canadian Rebecca Marino has cracked the WTA's top 100, jumping 20 places to No. 84 in the rankings released Monday.
The 20-year-old from Vancouver reached the second round of the Australian Open before losing a hard-fought 6-3, 5-7, 9-7 decision to French Open champion Francesca Schiavone.
Marino is the first Canadian to reach the second round in Melbourne since Vanessa Webb in 2003.
For the first time, the top 10 players in the rankings represent 10 different countries.
The WTA said in a statement that 11 different nations are represented among the top 11 spots and 30 different countries among the top 60 in Monday's rankings.
"Having 10 different players represent the top 10 rankings shows how truly global tennis has become," said WTA chair and CEO Stacey Allaster, a Canadian.
Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki remained No. 1, followed by Australian Open champion Kim Clijsters of Belgium, Russia's Vera Zvonareva, Italy's Schiavone and Australia's Sam Stosur.
The next five are Venus Williams of the United States, China's Li Na, Jelena Jankovic of Serbia, Victoria Azarenka of Belarus and Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska.
Shahar Peer moved to a career-high of No. 11, a record for a player from Israel. Schiavone is the first Italian to break into the top five. Australian Open runner-up Li is the first Chinese player to reach No. 7.
Former No. 1 Serena Williams, who has been out with a foot injury since winning Wimbledon last year, dropped from No. 4 to No. 12.
Stephanie Dubois of Laval, Que., also jumped in the rankings, improving 15 places to No. 148.