Woodies shoot to top place

Woodies shoot to top place

JAKARTA (JP): Australia's strong tandem of Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde earned a confidence-booster ahead of their French Open tennis championships when they won their third straight title to lead the ATP Tour world doubles rankings over the weekend.

The Woodies claimed their 26th title in the U.S. Clay Court tournament in Coral Springs, Florida, by beating the Spanish team of Sergio Casal and Emilio Sanchez 6-3, 6-1. Woodbridge went ahead to take the singles with a 6-4, 6-2 win over big-serving Canadian Greg Rusedski.

The Australians received an additional 140 points to move four places ahead to the top of the world doubles rankings with 1,404 points, edging previous frontrunners Grant Connell of the U.S. and Patrick Galbraith of Canada, now in the second spot with 1,392 points. The American-Canadian duo made an early exit at the Italian Open last week. (amd)