Chinese women swat away injuries to finish strong

Chinese women's tennis players finished an injury-hit but glorious 2008 season with three breaking into the world top 40 in the current WTA standings.

Chinese No 1 Li Na jumped four places to No 23 in the table, followed by Wimbledon semifinalist Zheng Jie who dropped two places to 25th. Meanwhile Peng Shuai moved up one to 39.

The trio have already completed their season schedules and will not take part in any more tournaments over the next two months. If they hold steady until the end of the year it will be the first time that three Chinese women have secured their place within the world top 40 at the season's end.