Smith enters top hundred

Sam Smith, the 25-year-old British No 1 from Essex, gave British tennis a further boost following Greg Rusedski's exploits at the US Open when she was ranked No 100 on the WTA computer yesterday.

It is a new landmark for Smith, whose highest previous ranking was 103 in September 1991. Smith then gave up full-time tennis to spend three years at university before returning to the international circuit. Her latest ranking is due to winning three matches in the US Open qualifying competition and then beating Australia's Nicole Pratt in the first round proper before losing to Conchita Martinez.

Smith was ranked 114 before the US Open, but the 14 places she has climbed should give her better chances of being accepted directly for further tournaments in the immediate future.