By TERRY MADDAFORD
North Harbour's Mark Nielsen has become New Zealand's latest member of the "200 club" following appearances in finals of Futures tennis tournaments.
Nielsen is the 13th New Zealander to reach the top 200 since ATP rankings became the official barometer in 1973.
He was ranked 199th after reaching the final of the Sprint tournament in the United States.
In reaching the final of a tournament in China his ranking is certain to go even higher.
His improved ranking means he can move to second-tier Challenger tournaments and qualifying for the French Open at the end of the month.
Onny Parun (1972) and Chris Lewis (1984) reached No 19 on the ATP list, the highest ranking achieved by New Zealand players.
Others to make the top 100, with their career-high and year in brackets, were Brian Fairlie (24, 1973), Kelly Evernden (31, 1989), Brett Steven (32, 1996), Russell Simpson (47, 1983) and Jeff Simpson (66, 1973).
Tennis: Nielsen joins ranks of the 200 club
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