Hantuchova, Halep advance in women's tennis rankings

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., June 17 (UPI) -- Daniela Hantuchova and Simona Halep used WTA wins to make strong moves in the world women's rankings before the Wimbledon draw is made this week.

The tournaments two weeks before major tournaments take on added importance because they are the last chances for players to improve their rankings and seedings before the Grand Slam event draw is announced. Wimbledon starts next Monday.

Hantuchova collected her sixth WTA title Sunday at the Aegon Classic in England, beating Donna Vekic. That boosts Hantuchova from 60th to No. 48 in the rankings while Vekic, who turns 17 in June 28, reached a career-high No. 64 ranking,

Halep notched her first WTA title by beating Andrea Petkovic in Saturday's final at the tournament in Nuremberg, Germany. Halep, who is 1-3 in tournament finals, is up 13 places this week to 48th. Petkovic, still fighting back from a knee injury, moves up 28 spots to 75th.

There is no doubt that Serena Williams will be seeded first for Wimbledon. She started her yearlong charge through the rest of the WTA at last year's Wimbledon Championships. Since then she has won 11 titles, including three Grand Slam tournaments. The most recent came at the French Open when she became the fourth women's player to win all four major tournaments at least twice.

The women's world Top 10, with home country and rankings points:

1. Serena Williams, United States, 13,615

2. Victoria Azarenka, Belarus, 9,625

3. Maria Sharapova, Russia, 9,415

4. Agnieszka Radwanska, Poland, 6,465

5. Sara Errani, Italy, 5,335

6. Li Na China, China, 5,155

7. Angelique Kerber, Germany, 4,915

8. Petra Kvitova, Czech Republic, 4,435

9. Caroline Wozniacki, Denmark, 3,565

10. Maria Kirilenko, Russia, 3,436