Swedish pair regains ground

JAKARTA (JP): The Swedish pairing of Jan Apell and Jonas Bjorkman reached their highest ranking of the season yesterday in a boost to their bid for a come-back in the ATP World Doubles championships here in November.

The Swedes moved up to the 10th spot in the latest ATP Tour World Doubles rankings issued yesterday after making a final appearance at the Queen's grass court championships over the weekend. Defending champions Apell and Bjorkman lost to the American big-serving combination of Pete Sampras and Todd Martin in the rain-interrupted final on Sunday.

French Open champions Jacco Eltingh and Paul Haarhuis suffered a rare defeat to compatriots Jan Siemerink and Richard Krajicek in the semifinals in Rosmalen, but remain atop the world rankings. The Dutch pair now takes a 500-point margin lead over number two Grant Connell and Patrick Galbraith, who fell to Apell and Bjorkman at Queens. (amd)