Sania Mirza [Images] failed to convert her second final appearance of the year at the USD 75,000 women's tennis event in Forest Hills, New York, into a successful one but saw her world ranking jump to a career best 42.

Sania went down to 66th ranked Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 in the final of the 16-draw size event on Saturday, but would be happy that she gained ample match practice ahead of the US Open [Images] which starts in New York on Monday.

Playing after a near fortnight's rest following an abdominal strain, the 18-year-old gained 67 circuit points, which combined with bonus points, pushed her ranking eight places from last week's position of 50 on the WTA Tour rankings.

The Hyderabadi also became richer by USD 12,000, her purse for reaching the final of the Tier-4 event.

Sania is set to play Mashona Washington of the US in the first round of the US Open, the year's final Grand Slam at Flushing Meadows.

Her only concern would be the stomach muscle which has been troubling her through the US hard court season and saw her lose in the first round of a WTA Tour event in Los Angeles two weeks ago.

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