The inconsistent Sania Mirza today got a pat on the back from former tennis ace Vijay Amritraj, who said there was nothing missing from the teenager's game and her progress should not be judged on a weekly basis.
"I see nothing wrong with Sania's game. She had done remarkably well over the last two-three years," the former Davis Cup captain said here.
However, Amritraj said that the Hyderabadi needed to improve her consistency at the highest level of the game.
Sania has had some good results in the last few weeks, but her wins over higher ranked opponents, notably former world number one Martina Hingis in Korea, have been usually followed by reversals against players ranked below her.
"Everyone strives to be more and more consistent but very few manage that," Amritraj, who reached a career-high ranking of 13, said.
"One should judge her over a whole season. As a rule, if she has five or six good weeks in a season, she can maintain her ranking."
But he pointed out that it was more important to do well in bigger events such as the Grand Slams, Masters Series and Tier I events, as they carried more ranking points.
He mentioned that world number one Roger Federer was an exceptional case.
"Federer is just playing on a different planet because he never lets his physical capabilities drop.
"No one questions other top players like Rafael Nadal or Andy Roddick if their performances fluctuate, because they know that it is very tough. But Federer is head and shoulders above everyone else," Amritraj said.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Shaughnessy beats Sania in Bangkok Open
FORMER world No.11 Meghann Shaughnessy moved through to the second round of the WTA Bangkok Open today, beating rising star Sania Mirza 6-4 6-4.
Shaughnessy will next play Julia Schruff from Germany, who upset world No.69 Emma Laine from Finland 6-4 7-6(7-5) on the second day of the tournament.
The opening day's action was washed out by persistent rain yesterday, and the players suffered further weather interruptions today.
Shaughnessy, who reached her career-high world ranking in 2001, said the rain had initially hampered her play but her serve was key to beating Mirza.
"She is a great player," Shaughnessy said of her Indian opponent.
"She goes for her shots with her forehand being great. She has a great backhand and cut as well."
Shaughnessy will next play Julia Schruff from Germany, who upset world No.69 Emma Laine from Finland 6-4 7-6(7-5) on the second day of the tournament.
The opening day's action was washed out by persistent rain yesterday, and the players suffered further weather interruptions today.
Shaughnessy, who reached her career-high world ranking in 2001, said the rain had initially hampered her play but her serve was key to beating Mirza.
"She is a great player," Shaughnessy said of her Indian opponent.
"She goes for her shots with her forehand being great. She has a great backhand and cut as well."
Dhoni, Sania to campaign for NCC's promotion
Cricketer Mahender Singh Dhoni and tennis sensation Sania Mirza will soon be seen promoting National Cadet Corps in the country.
"The NCC is looking out for role models like Dhoni and Sania to promote the organisation," NCC Additional Director General Maj Gen R K Karwal told reporters on the sidelines of naval NCC cadets training camp at Sukhna lake here.
"Talks are in process with the two sportspersons and the NCC is hopeful to get favourable response from them soon," he said.
He said the NCC would increase its strength from present 13 lakh cadets to 15 lakhs in the next five years.
"The NCC is contemplating to further increase the strength of its cadets to 20 lakhs," he said adding that at present the directorates with shortfall in cadet strength were being examined.
The NCC was also in touch with the authorities to increase the subscribed seats of "C" certificate holders in institutions like Indian Military Academy (IMA) and Officers Training Academy (OTA).
"The Government had sanctioned to increase the subscribed seats of NCC cadets from 64 to 80 in IMA and from 100 to 120 in OTA," he said.
"The NCC is looking out for role models like Dhoni and Sania to promote the organisation," NCC Additional Director General Maj Gen R K Karwal told reporters on the sidelines of naval NCC cadets training camp at Sukhna lake here.
"Talks are in process with the two sportspersons and the NCC is hopeful to get favourable response from them soon," he said.
He said the NCC would increase its strength from present 13 lakh cadets to 15 lakhs in the next five years.
"The NCC is contemplating to further increase the strength of its cadets to 20 lakhs," he said adding that at present the directorates with shortfall in cadet strength were being examined.
The NCC was also in touch with the authorities to increase the subscribed seats of "C" certificate holders in institutions like Indian Military Academy (IMA) and Officers Training Academy (OTA).
"The Government had sanctioned to increase the subscribed seats of NCC cadets from 64 to 80 in IMA and from 100 to 120 in OTA," he said.
Monday, October 09, 2006
Sania slips six places in world ranking
The quarterfinal loss to lower ranked Olga Poutchkova of Russia at the Tashkent Open brought another plunge in Sania Mirza's ranking as the ace Indian tennis star dropped six places to be 61st on the latest WTA world rankings released today.
Sania, who had registered a slight improvement in her ranking to be at 55th spot after beating World No 8 Martina Hingis, went down to Olga 6-4 4-6 6-0 to crash out of the Tashkent tournament last week.
Now, Sania, with 397 points, is ranked below the Russian, who jumped from 58th to 46th spot.
However, the top seeded Indian woman player has maintained her doubles ranking by remaining steady at 26th for the third consecutive week.
Among other Indian women, Shikha Uberoi (219 to 213) Ankita Bhambri (363 to 361), Isha Lakhani (389 to 385) climbed up the ranking ladder while Rushmi Chakravarthi (456 to 457) slipped one place.
In men's doubles rankings, Leander Paes has maintained his No 10 position while Mahesh Bhupathi has slided two places to be at 26th spot.
Sania, who had registered a slight improvement in her ranking to be at 55th spot after beating World No 8 Martina Hingis, went down to Olga 6-4 4-6 6-0 to crash out of the Tashkent tournament last week.
Now, Sania, with 397 points, is ranked below the Russian, who jumped from 58th to 46th spot.
However, the top seeded Indian woman player has maintained her doubles ranking by remaining steady at 26th for the third consecutive week.
Among other Indian women, Shikha Uberoi (219 to 213) Ankita Bhambri (363 to 361), Isha Lakhani (389 to 385) climbed up the ranking ladder while Rushmi Chakravarthi (456 to 457) slipped one place.
In men's doubles rankings, Leander Paes has maintained his No 10 position while Mahesh Bhupathi has slided two places to be at 26th spot.
Friday, October 06, 2006
Sania Mirza crashes out of Taskhent Open
Sania Mirza crashed out of the Taskhent Open after she lost to Olga Poutchkova of Russia 4-6, 6-4, 0-6 in the quarterfinals Friday.
It was another inconsistent performance by the Indian, who later said, she could not adjust to the conditions.
"Sometimes you don't get used to the conditions and then you don't win," said Sania, rather disappointedly.
"The balls were flying, I just didn't get to feel the ball on my racquet.
"There were some 20-25 times in the match when I wanted to go for a winner but I didn't have the confidence to go for it, I just kept pushing the ball back," she added.
After losing the first set hitting wide with an inside-out backhand at set point, Sania slumped to a 0-4 deficit in the second. Poutchkova, semi-finalist at the recent Sunfeast Open in Kolkata, then double-faulted three times to drop serve in the next game.
That triggered a Sania revival for a while and she won the next five games to take the set. During the six-game winning streak, she seemed to have regained some confidence and the winners flowed from her racquet.
The Russian won key points in the early games of the third set. Sania down 15-40 after a double fault, rallied to deuce in the second game, but could not hold her serve.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Sania Mirza reaches Tashkent quarters
Third-seeded Sania Mirza of India highlighted Thursday's second-round winners at the $145,000 Tashkent Open.
Mirza handled Czech Hana Sromova 6-4, 7-5 on the hardcourts at Tashkent Tennis Center. Mirza's quarterfinal opponent on Friday will be sixth-seeded Russian Olga Poutchkova, who topped France's Olivia Sanchez 7-5, 6-1 on Day 4 here.
In other second-round action, Belarusian Victoria Azarenka bested Slovakian qualifier Dominika Cibulkova 6-4, 6-4 and Chinese Tiantian Sun got past Belarusian Tatiana Poutchek by an identical 6-4, 6-4 score.
The other quarters will pit top-seeded Italian Maria Elena Camerin against Azarenka, eighth-seeded Russian Anastassia Rodionova versus Sun and Tashkent's own Iroda Tulyaganova against the Ukraine's Kateryna Bondarenko. Tulyaganova captured this event in 2000.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Sania Mirza in round two of Tashkent Open
Sania Mirza beat her unseeded Fench opponent Pauline Parmentier 6-3, 6-1 on Wednesday to cruise into the second round of the Tashkent Open in Uzbekistan.
The third seed took just 48 minutes to defeat the Frenchwoman, who is ranked 206.
The Hyderabadi teenager has had a fairly ordinary second year on the circuit but her exploits in Korea Open last week where she beat Martina Hingis has catapulted her rankings to 55.
This tier IV event is Sania's penultimate outing of the year. She plays her next round match in Tashkent against Hana Sromova of the Czech Republic.
The third seed took just 48 minutes to defeat the Frenchwoman, who is ranked 206.
The Hyderabadi teenager has had a fairly ordinary second year on the circuit but her exploits in Korea Open last week where she beat Martina Hingis has catapulted her rankings to 55.
This tier IV event is Sania's penultimate outing of the year. She plays her next round match in Tashkent against Hana Sromova of the Czech Republic.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Sania Mirza go up by four places to be at 55th spot
Her second-round win over world No 8 Martina Hingis at Korea Open last week helped Sania Mirza go up by four places to be at 55th spot on the latest WTA world rankings released on Monday.
Sania, who defeated Hingis 4-6 6-0 6-4 in a tough battle at Seoul, was at the 59th spot the previous week and the big win over the Swiss boosted the Hyderabadi to 428 points for the promotion.
Sania, who had a major slip in the rankings this year due to a string of forgettable performances, has the chance to regain her top ranking of World No 31. Interestingly, Sania held her career best ranking during October last year.
In the doubles rankings, the Indian ace has maintained her 26th place, which she achieved along with South African Liezel Huber after her Sunfeast Open win in Kolkata.
Among other Indian women on the WTA Tour, Shikha Uberoi (232 to 219), Ankita Bhambri (369 to 363) and Isha Lakhani (391 to 389) have registered rise in their rankings while Rushmi Chakravarthi (454 to 456) suffered a minor slide.
Sania, who defeated Hingis 4-6 6-0 6-4 in a tough battle at Seoul, was at the 59th spot the previous week and the big win over the Swiss boosted the Hyderabadi to 428 points for the promotion.
Sania, who had a major slip in the rankings this year due to a string of forgettable performances, has the chance to regain her top ranking of World No 31. Interestingly, Sania held her career best ranking during October last year.
In the doubles rankings, the Indian ace has maintained her 26th place, which she achieved along with South African Liezel Huber after her Sunfeast Open win in Kolkata.
Among other Indian women on the WTA Tour, Shikha Uberoi (232 to 219), Ankita Bhambri (369 to 363) and Isha Lakhani (391 to 389) have registered rise in their rankings while Rushmi Chakravarthi (454 to 456) suffered a minor slide.
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Sania seeded third at Tashkent Open
Sania Mirza has been seeded third at the Tashkent Open tennis tournament, which starts Monday.
Italian Maria Elena Camerin is the top seed and Elena Vesnina of Russia is seeded second, as announced here after the draw Saturday.
Sania, currently ranked 59 in the world singles ranking, will face Pauline Parmentier of France in the first round.
Sania comes to Tashkent after a quarterfinal finish at the Korean Open in Seoul, losing to Spaniard Virginia Ruana Pascual, after having beaten Martina Hingis in the previous round.
Italian Maria Elena Camerin is the top seed and Elena Vesnina of Russia is seeded second, as announced here after the draw Saturday.
Sania, currently ranked 59 in the world singles ranking, will face Pauline Parmentier of France in the first round.
Sania comes to Tashkent after a quarterfinal finish at the Korean Open in Seoul, losing to Spaniard Virginia Ruana Pascual, after having beaten Martina Hingis in the previous round.
Friday, September 29, 2006
Sania Mirza bows out of Korea Open
Spain's Virginia Ruano Pascual reached her first semi-final of the season with a 7-6 4-6 7-6 victory over India's Sania Mirza at the Korea Open on Friday.
The world number 72 dashed Mirza's hopes of a second WTA title just one day after the Indian had upset top seed Martina Hingis and next plays Japan's Ai Sugiyama, who eased to a 6-2 6-3 victory over Paola Suarez of Argentina.
With Hingis and number two seed Maria Kirilenko already out of the tournament, Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli is the highest ranked player remaining in the draw.
The third seed faces Japan's Akiko Morigami later on Friday, with the winner going on to meet Eleni Daniilidou of Greece, who upset Russia's Vera Zvonareva 7-6 6-4 in their quarter-final.
The world number 72 dashed Mirza's hopes of a second WTA title just one day after the Indian had upset top seed Martina Hingis and next plays Japan's Ai Sugiyama, who eased to a 6-2 6-3 victory over Paola Suarez of Argentina.
With Hingis and number two seed Maria Kirilenko already out of the tournament, Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli is the highest ranked player remaining in the draw.
The third seed faces Japan's Akiko Morigami later on Friday, with the winner going on to meet Eleni Daniilidou of Greece, who upset Russia's Vera Zvonareva 7-6 6-4 in their quarter-final.
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Mirza knocks Hingis out of Korea Open
India's Sania Mirza rallied to eliminate top-seeded Martina Hingis 4-6, 6-0, 6-4 in the second round of the Korea Open.
Mirza overcame a shaky start to drill precision strokes down the line and tire Hingis out with powerful ground strokes and crosscourt winners.
Former world No. 1 Hingis was chasing her third season title and second in a row after claiming the Sunfeast Open at India on Sunday. Hingis beat Mirza in the Sunfeast semifinals en route to the title.
"We've played two other times. Third time lucky," said Mirza after the match. "This is the fittest I've ever been, best I've felt."
Hingis and Mirza traded breaks for six straight games going into the second set and had less than a handful of aces between them.
"She played very well today, much better than last week. I gave her too many chances," said Hingis. "Her forehand is really amazing."
Mirza faces Virginia Ruano Pascual in the quarterfinals after the Spaniard cruised past Indonesia's Angelique Widjaja 6-4, 6-3.
Mirza overcame a shaky start to drill precision strokes down the line and tire Hingis out with powerful ground strokes and crosscourt winners.
Former world No. 1 Hingis was chasing her third season title and second in a row after claiming the Sunfeast Open at India on Sunday. Hingis beat Mirza in the Sunfeast semifinals en route to the title.
"We've played two other times. Third time lucky," said Mirza after the match. "This is the fittest I've ever been, best I've felt."
Hingis and Mirza traded breaks for six straight games going into the second set and had less than a handful of aces between them.
"She played very well today, much better than last week. I gave her too many chances," said Hingis. "Her forehand is really amazing."
Mirza faces Virginia Ruano Pascual in the quarterfinals after the Spaniard cruised past Indonesia's Angelique Widjaja 6-4, 6-3.
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Sania Mirza jumps up 11 places to 59th spot
Sania Mirza received a major boost on Monday when she jumped up 11 places to be at 59th spot in the latest WTA world rankings by virtue of reaching the semifinals of the Sunfeast Open tournament in Kolkata.
Sania, who recently experienced a steep fall in the rankings because of her early exits in WTA meets, defeated compatriot Rushmi Chakravathi, Sandra Kloesel of Germany and higher ranked Aravane Rezai of France to set up a semifinals clash with former Wimbledon champion Martina Hingis of Switzerland. However, the Hyderabadi lost to Hingis despite putting up a good showing.
Sania, with 405 points, is now the fourth Asian in the ranking ladder.
But, the ace Indian reached her career best doubles ranking a day after winning the Sunfeast title with her South African partner Liezel Huber.
The Indian, with 1070 points, rose two place to 26th spot while Huber got a promotion of three places to be at 18th in the doubles ranking.
Sania, who recently experienced a steep fall in the rankings because of her early exits in WTA meets, defeated compatriot Rushmi Chakravathi, Sandra Kloesel of Germany and higher ranked Aravane Rezai of France to set up a semifinals clash with former Wimbledon champion Martina Hingis of Switzerland. However, the Hyderabadi lost to Hingis despite putting up a good showing.
Sania, with 405 points, is now the fourth Asian in the ranking ladder.
But, the ace Indian reached her career best doubles ranking a day after winning the Sunfeast title with her South African partner Liezel Huber.
The Indian, with 1070 points, rose two place to 26th spot while Huber got a promotion of three places to be at 18th in the doubles ranking.
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Martina Hingis BLOWS AWAY Sania Mirza
Switzerland's Martina Hingis beat India's Sania Mirza in straight sets to advance into the final of the Sunfeast Open on Saturday.
Sania who was seeded No-5 in the tournament had no answer to Hingis' aggression and went down tamely 6-1, 6-0 despite vocal support from the crowd. Sania was concetrating into the crowd rather than the game.
Sania had advanced to the semis after a convincing 6-4 7-5 win over Rezai in a high-quality quarterfinal duel in the Tier 3 event of the WTA Tour.
However on Saturday she was blown away by Hingis who outclassed the Indian superstar in every department of the game.
^
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Now Sania can take only this!
Hingis to face Sania Mirza
Top seed Martina Hingis and local favourite Sania Mirza notched straight-set victories in Kolkata on Friday to set up a semifinal clash in the Kolkata Open tournament.Former world number one Hingis defeated Thai player Tamarine Tanasugarn 7-5, 6-2, while Mirza got past fourth seed and 66th-ranked Aravane Rezai of France 6-4, 7-5 to set up the showpiece event for Saturday.
Hingis, ranked ninth in the world, overcame a sluggish start before asserting her class in the last quarterfinal tie of the day.
She was down two breaks in a 0-3 score, but came back strongly to break serve in the fourth, 10th and 12th games and put pressure on Tanasugarn, who could not compete in the second set.
"I did not have a great start. I was rushing a bit and she played off my pace but I got back the control as I could switch the pace of the game," said Hingis, who looked forward to playing fifth seed Mirza.
"It was just building up and you could feel it in the air," said Hingis about her much-awaited next round match. "Sania has a good forehand and I will have to keep her on the run."
Mirza had a good match as she disposed of a player seeded a notch higher by serving better and using her powerful forehand to an advantage.
"There was very little difference between the two of us. Just a few points here and there. Rezai has a great backhand, which matches my forehand. We are both aggressive players," Mirza said after the match.
"I was trying to avoid playing backhand to backhand as I would never have won those points", said Mirza.
In the first set, Mirza clinched a crucial break in the 10th game after the players had traded two breaks each.
In the second set, she was broken in the fourth game and was down 4-2 but she broke back in the seventh, drew level by holding the eighth and then got the decisive break in the 11th.
Earlier in the day, unseeded players Olga Poutchkova and Iroda Tulyaganova set up a semi-final clash.
Poutchkova got past Alberta Brianti 7-5, 6-3 while qualifier Tulyaganova rallied to beat Alla Kudryavtseva 4-6, 6-2, 6-2.
Friday, September 22, 2006
‘Sania deserves all the attention’
Sania Mirza is definitely getting more than her share of coverage in the media and there’re no two ways about it. Whether she deserves this much attention or not is a different question altogether.
And the other Indian players, who’re always at the receiving end and have to face media apathy, have spared no occasion in showing their dislike for this particular phenomenon.
To be fair to them, they do have a point but lack the results to validate it. However, this category never included Shikha Uberoi, the second highest ranked Indian on the WTA Tour. She had even categorically stated earlier that she had no problems whatsoever with the kind of publicity given to her compatriot.
So, it’s a tad difficult to digest the reports doing the rounds at the Sunfeast Open that Shikha had joined the bandwagon and claimed that the media’s undue importance given to Sania is affecting the performance of other Indian players.
However, Shikha seems completely clueless when asked about the “reported statements” that she has made during the tournament.
“Where did you hear this?” she asks, and then goes on to offer her clarification. “I never made such statements. I still stand by whatever I had said earlier and have no problems with her (Sania) getting the publicity that she does.” The Fed Cup player even believes that her more illustrious companion deserves all the attention. “She definitely has the results,” Shikha reasons.
But what about her own performance? Especially her great run of results last year when she made the singles quarterfinal and the doubles final. “I’m obviously disappointed but I didn’t prepare hard enough,” she admits.
Shikha lost in the opening round of the singles but then raised hopes in the doubles — with makeshift partner Hungarian Melinda Czink — by beating second seeds Anastasia Rodionova and Nicole Pratt. However, the duo was forced to withdraw on Friday after a viral infection affected the Hungarian.
“She was fit during the last match but got sick last night. I hope she gets well soon,” she says. But didn’t Shikha miss her sister/doubles partner Neha this year? “Yes, I did,” she admits.
And the other Indian players, who’re always at the receiving end and have to face media apathy, have spared no occasion in showing their dislike for this particular phenomenon.
To be fair to them, they do have a point but lack the results to validate it. However, this category never included Shikha Uberoi, the second highest ranked Indian on the WTA Tour. She had even categorically stated earlier that she had no problems whatsoever with the kind of publicity given to her compatriot.
So, it’s a tad difficult to digest the reports doing the rounds at the Sunfeast Open that Shikha had joined the bandwagon and claimed that the media’s undue importance given to Sania is affecting the performance of other Indian players.
However, Shikha seems completely clueless when asked about the “reported statements” that she has made during the tournament.
“Where did you hear this?” she asks, and then goes on to offer her clarification. “I never made such statements. I still stand by whatever I had said earlier and have no problems with her (Sania) getting the publicity that she does.” The Fed Cup player even believes that her more illustrious companion deserves all the attention. “She definitely has the results,” Shikha reasons.
But what about her own performance? Especially her great run of results last year when she made the singles quarterfinal and the doubles final. “I’m obviously disappointed but I didn’t prepare hard enough,” she admits.
Shikha lost in the opening round of the singles but then raised hopes in the doubles — with makeshift partner Hungarian Melinda Czink — by beating second seeds Anastasia Rodionova and Nicole Pratt. However, the duo was forced to withdraw on Friday after a viral infection affected the Hungarian.
“She was fit during the last match but got sick last night. I hope she gets well soon,” she says. But didn’t Shikha miss her sister/doubles partner Neha this year? “Yes, I did,” she admits.
Mirza advances to semifinals in Calcutta
Sania Mirza of India defeated Aravane Rezai 6-4, 7-5 Friday to reach the semifinals of the Sunfeast Open.
Qualifier Iroda Tulyaganova rallied past Alla Kudryavtseva 4-6, 6-2, 6-2, and Olga Poutchkova defeated Alberta Brianti 7-5, 6-3.
Mirza rallied from a 1-4 deficit in the second set after Rezai had trouble with her serve. Mirza drew even at 5-5 and won the final two games. .
"I've never played anyone who hits the ball so hard," Mirza said.
Tulyaganova squandered a 3-1 lead to lose the first set, but got steadier throughout the match.
Qualifier Iroda Tulyaganova rallied past Alla Kudryavtseva 4-6, 6-2, 6-2, and Olga Poutchkova defeated Alberta Brianti 7-5, 6-3.
Mirza rallied from a 1-4 deficit in the second set after Rezai had trouble with her serve. Mirza drew even at 5-5 and won the final two games. .
"I've never played anyone who hits the ball so hard," Mirza said.
Tulyaganova squandered a 3-1 lead to lose the first set, but got steadier throughout the match.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Give others credit, says Shikha
The endless hype surrounding Indian number one Sania Mirza is distracting for the country's other players, says Shikha Uberoi. Mirza is one of the most popular and recognisable sports stars in India having reached the highest ranking ever for a female player.But Indian number two Shikha believes that Sania Mania is making things difficult for other female players.
"I think the media should treat every player equally," Shikha told the PTI news agency. "They should highlight the achievements and talents of every deserving player.
"Sania has done well. So, it is natural that she will get more attention.
"But it's definitely very difficult when the young talents see that you (the media) are only focussing on Sania, and their talents are not being recognished.
The world number 193 felt that it was for the media to put things in perspective.
"I, or the other players, can't do anything about it."
However, Shikha, born in Mumbai but now based in Princeton, USA, remains optimistic about the future of women's tennis in India.
"While the guys are playing cricket, the girls are taking to tennis in a big way. And Indian girls are doing far better than boys in the discipline," she added.
Sania Mirza overjoyed by Ganguly’s presence
Me and Sourav are pretty good friends...
Sania Mirza yesterday acknowledged the “graciousness” of former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly in coming over to watch her match at the Sunfeast Open WTA tennis tournament here.
“Me and Sourav are pretty good friends. I spoke to him this morning. And he said he will come for the match. I told him that I know how popular he is and that the crowd will go berserk seeing him,” Sania told media persons after her opening round win in the tournament.
“It’s great that Sourav came here and watched the match,” said Sania. Ganguly, who sat in the VIP enclosure in the company of several cricketers from Bengal, was seen enthusiastically applauding every shot of the 19-year-old Hyderabadi.
Sania Mirza yesterday acknowledged the “graciousness” of former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly in coming over to watch her match at the Sunfeast Open WTA tennis tournament here.
“Me and Sourav are pretty good friends. I spoke to him this morning. And he said he will come for the match. I told him that I know how popular he is and that the crowd will go berserk seeing him,” Sania told media persons after her opening round win in the tournament.
“It’s great that Sourav came here and watched the match,” said Sania. Ganguly, who sat in the VIP enclosure in the company of several cricketers from Bengal, was seen enthusiastically applauding every shot of the 19-year-old Hyderabadi.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Bhupathi surprised over Sania's new pair
Sania Mirza's pairing with Leander Paes for the Doha Asian Games has upset Mahesh Bhupathi who said he was not consulted when the decision was made.
"Of course, I am surprised," Bhupathi said.
"I'm not sure whose decision it was. All I know is that everybody is pretending it's the other person's decision but I know that I wasn't consulted," Bhupathi said reacting to Sania's comment that it was the decision of the All India Tennis Association.
Bhupathi's anger can be justified because Sania is considered a protege of Bhupathi who has a better mixed doubles record than Paes.
Bhupathi, however, stated that who brought home the gold medal at the end of the day was what counted and that he would not want the issue to cloud his partnership with Paes at the Games.
"That's one place where I'm playing with Leander. We're looking forward to bringing home the gold medal," he told 'Times Now'.
AITA Selection Committee Chairman Shyam Minotra said although the selections are made by it, the pairing is done by the captain and individual players themselves.
"Of course, I am surprised," Bhupathi said.
"I'm not sure whose decision it was. All I know is that everybody is pretending it's the other person's decision but I know that I wasn't consulted," Bhupathi said reacting to Sania's comment that it was the decision of the All India Tennis Association.
Bhupathi's anger can be justified because Sania is considered a protege of Bhupathi who has a better mixed doubles record than Paes.
Bhupathi, however, stated that who brought home the gold medal at the end of the day was what counted and that he would not want the issue to cloud his partnership with Paes at the Games.
"That's one place where I'm playing with Leander. We're looking forward to bringing home the gold medal," he told 'Times Now'.
AITA Selection Committee Chairman Shyam Minotra said although the selections are made by it, the pairing is done by the captain and individual players themselves.
Sania enters round two
Indian star Sania Mirza survived a bad day for seeded players to advance to the second round of the 175,000-dollar WTA Kolkata Open here yesterday.
The 20-year-old fifth seed, hoping to improve her ranking after slipping to 70 from a personal best of 31 last year, scored an emphatic 6-0, 6-4 win over local qualifier Rushmi Chakravarty in the first round.
Mirza, cheered by some 500 home fans that included former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly, said she was delighted to be back in the sports-mad city of Kolkata.
"I am here after a year and obviously there was pressure on me to perform in front of Indian fans," said Mirza, who is expected to meet top-seed Martina Hingis in the semi-finals.
"It's great to play in Kolkata. People love their sport and we are treated like movie stars. But I think the crowd was more excited about Ganguly being there than about the match.
"I have matured both as a player and a person and this year was not as bad as people are making it out to be.
"There is the pressure of defending points, but that is not everything. The pressure won't go away. I just have to change my attitude towards it," said Mirza.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Sania's effigy burned in Hyderabad
Activists of the little-known Priyanka-Rahul Brigade on Tuesday burned the effigy of tennis star Sania Mirza to protest against a poster which they claimed hurt their sensitivities.
Shouting slogans against Sania, the activists burnt the effigy at the busy Basheerbagh junction in front of the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) office and Journalists Union Office buildings.
Sania, during a promotional programme for Lotto shoes, had signed on her life size protrait after walking the ramp.
The portrait shows her holding a guitar painted in saffron and green colours on either sides of the body and white on the narrow neck up to its head, resembling the tri-colour. Her foot is on the ramp where the guitar rests.
Shouting slogans against Sania, the activists burnt the effigy at the busy Basheerbagh junction in front of the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) office and Journalists Union Office buildings.
Sania, during a promotional programme for Lotto shoes, had signed on her life size protrait after walking the ramp.
The portrait shows her holding a guitar painted in saffron and green colours on either sides of the body and white on the narrow neck up to its head, resembling the tri-colour. Her foot is on the ramp where the guitar rests.
Monday, September 18, 2006
Sania Mirza censors herself to avoid controversy
Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza says she needs to be tight-lipped and carefully measure her words since any slip of tongue can trigger a "national crisis".
"I have to measure every word I utter. Any slip from my lips can create a national crisis," Sania, 19, said Monday.
Apart from fighting plummeting rankings, the country's top woman tennis star, who has found herself embroiled in controversies in the past over her on-court dress code, said with success she has also become more responsible.
She made the admission during a brief interaction with school kids at a question-answer programme here.
"In whatever I do, I have to be careful," she said, as some 50-odd students listened to her with rapt attention.
A cheerful Sania, responding to a query about her funniest moment on court, recalled an incident during the Hyderabad WTA Open two years back.
"By the side of the court, there was a guy with a placard 'Sania, marry me'. And beside him were three other guys, each holding aloft placards 'and me', 'and me' 'and me'," she said, breaking into her trademark broad smile.
Another kid asked Sania what query she would put forth to her idol.
"Well, my idol is Steffi Graf. But whenever I met her, I could never open my mouth. The day I manage to break my silence before her, I'll let you know," she said.
Sania also urged the students to follow their dreams. "And you must enjoy what you are doing," she advised.
"I have to measure every word I utter. Any slip from my lips can create a national crisis," Sania, 19, said Monday.
Apart from fighting plummeting rankings, the country's top woman tennis star, who has found herself embroiled in controversies in the past over her on-court dress code, said with success she has also become more responsible.
She made the admission during a brief interaction with school kids at a question-answer programme here.
"In whatever I do, I have to be careful," she said, as some 50-odd students listened to her with rapt attention.
A cheerful Sania, responding to a query about her funniest moment on court, recalled an incident during the Hyderabad WTA Open two years back.
"By the side of the court, there was a guy with a placard 'Sania, marry me'. And beside him were three other guys, each holding aloft placards 'and me', 'and me' 'and me'," she said, breaking into her trademark broad smile.
Another kid asked Sania what query she would put forth to her idol.
"Well, my idol is Steffi Graf. But whenever I met her, I could never open my mouth. The day I manage to break my silence before her, I'll let you know," she said.
Sania also urged the students to follow their dreams. "And you must enjoy what you are doing," she advised.
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Sania may meet Hingis in semis
A possible mouthwatering clash between Indian ace Sania Mirza and world No 9 Martina Hingis of Switzerland in the $175,000 WTA Sunfeast Open will have to wait till the semifinal stage.
Sania, seeded fifth, has got an easy opening round outing against a qualifier while top-seeded Hingis would be up against world number 84 Melinda Czink of Hungary, as per the draw of lots for the main tournament, which begins on Monday.
Czink, who had taken the fizz out of the Sunfeast Open last year by conquering crowd favourite Sania in the second round, has been in good form of late and could pose a few problems for title favourite Hingis.
Sania, whose ranking has plummeted to 70 after a series of lacklustre shows, would face the winner of the first round battle between Russian Galina Voskoboeva and Sandra Kloesel of Germany if she gets past the first round.
If the Hyderabadi crosses the hurdle, she could come up against fourth seed French girl Aravane Rezai, who crosses sword with Indian wild card Ankita Bhambri in the lung-opener.
In case Sania pulls off an upset of sorts and Hingis does justice to her reputation, the two could engage in a duel at the pre-summit stage of the tournament.
Among other Indians, 194-ranked Shikha Uberoi, who has got a wild card, face 132-ranked Czech girl Hana Sromova in the first round.
The other wild card entrant, US-born player of Indian origin Sunitha Rao, has a tough opener as she would be up against seventh seed Nicole Pratt of Australia.
Second seed and world No. 50 Croat Karolina Sprem has been drawn against Australian Casey Dellacqua, while third seed Yuliana Fedak of Australia takes on Italian Alberta Brianti in the first round.
Other first round duels include sixth seed Kaia Kanepi of Estonia versus Thailand's Tamarine Tanasugarn and eighth seed Russian Anastassia Rodionova versus compatriot Alla Kudryavtseva.
Sania, seeded fifth, has got an easy opening round outing against a qualifier while top-seeded Hingis would be up against world number 84 Melinda Czink of Hungary, as per the draw of lots for the main tournament, which begins on Monday.
Czink, who had taken the fizz out of the Sunfeast Open last year by conquering crowd favourite Sania in the second round, has been in good form of late and could pose a few problems for title favourite Hingis.
Sania, whose ranking has plummeted to 70 after a series of lacklustre shows, would face the winner of the first round battle between Russian Galina Voskoboeva and Sandra Kloesel of Germany if she gets past the first round.
If the Hyderabadi crosses the hurdle, she could come up against fourth seed French girl Aravane Rezai, who crosses sword with Indian wild card Ankita Bhambri in the lung-opener.
In case Sania pulls off an upset of sorts and Hingis does justice to her reputation, the two could engage in a duel at the pre-summit stage of the tournament.
Among other Indians, 194-ranked Shikha Uberoi, who has got a wild card, face 132-ranked Czech girl Hana Sromova in the first round.
The other wild card entrant, US-born player of Indian origin Sunitha Rao, has a tough opener as she would be up against seventh seed Nicole Pratt of Australia.
Second seed and world No. 50 Croat Karolina Sprem has been drawn against Australian Casey Dellacqua, while third seed Yuliana Fedak of Australia takes on Italian Alberta Brianti in the first round.
Other first round duels include sixth seed Kaia Kanepi of Estonia versus Thailand's Tamarine Tanasugarn and eighth seed Russian Anastassia Rodionova versus compatriot Alla Kudryavtseva.
Grand Slam title is not my goal: Sania
Hyderabad, Sep 15 (IANS) With her world ranking falling due to disappointing performance this season, Indian tennis star Sania Mirza Friday said her career might end without a Grand Slam title.
Stating that Grand Slam was not her goal and ranking was not her priority, the 19-year-old said she had matured as a player and was enjoying her game.
"I am enjoying the game and there is bound to be some ebb and flow. Two years back no one expected me to break into world top 50. I may or may not win a Grand Slam event but I still enjoy the game," she told newsmen at the launch of `Lotto Fall Winter '06 Signature collection' of Italian sports major Lotto.
Sania Mirza, whose ranking plummeted from an all-time high of 31 to 70 recently, did not agree that her form was as bad as being projected by the media.
"In the game there are going to be ups and downs. The rankings go up and come down. I am concerned about my game and I am enjoying playing it," she said.
Expressing confidence over her fitness levels, Sania hoped to have a good season ahead.
"My fitness levels are fine now. Only that I have some problem with my wrist as it hurts off and on", she said.
Sania, the only Indian to hold WTA title, claimed that she had improved on her serve and fitness and said she was working hard on some grey areas of her game.
"Earlier, I only had a good forehand. Now I have the entire game with me. The competition is also getting tougher. Previously, I was very offensive and that was my biggest weapon. Now I have added some tactical variations which did give some good results," she said.
Asked about playing doubles and mixed doubles, Sania said: "I'm nineteen and it is not time to think about playing doubles. I will be playing in the singles circuit for some more time."
She said she had no objection to playing with anyone for the doubles at Doha Asian Games.
Asked about playing alongside Leander Paes, she said: "I had played with him earlier and I have no objection playing with anyone."
Stating that Grand Slam was not her goal and ranking was not her priority, the 19-year-old said she had matured as a player and was enjoying her game.
"I am enjoying the game and there is bound to be some ebb and flow. Two years back no one expected me to break into world top 50. I may or may not win a Grand Slam event but I still enjoy the game," she told newsmen at the launch of `Lotto Fall Winter '06 Signature collection' of Italian sports major Lotto.
Sania Mirza, whose ranking plummeted from an all-time high of 31 to 70 recently, did not agree that her form was as bad as being projected by the media.
"In the game there are going to be ups and downs. The rankings go up and come down. I am concerned about my game and I am enjoying playing it," she said.
Expressing confidence over her fitness levels, Sania hoped to have a good season ahead.
"My fitness levels are fine now. Only that I have some problem with my wrist as it hurts off and on", she said.
Sania, the only Indian to hold WTA title, claimed that she had improved on her serve and fitness and said she was working hard on some grey areas of her game.
"Earlier, I only had a good forehand. Now I have the entire game with me. The competition is also getting tougher. Previously, I was very offensive and that was my biggest weapon. Now I have added some tactical variations which did give some good results," she said.
Asked about playing doubles and mixed doubles, Sania said: "I'm nineteen and it is not time to think about playing doubles. I will be playing in the singles circuit for some more time."
She said she had no objection to playing with anyone for the doubles at Doha Asian Games.
Asked about playing alongside Leander Paes, she said: "I had played with him earlier and I have no objection playing with anyone."
Friday, September 15, 2006
Sania drops in seeding in Sunfeast Open
Kolkata - Sania Mirza will be seeded fourth in the WTA Tier III Sunfeat Open beginning here Sep 18 after her WTA ranking plummeted to 70.
Former World No 1 Martina Hingis, currently ranked at No 9 in the WTA lists, will lead the seedings in the 32-player draw.
Said Sunfeast Tournament Director Jaidip Mukherjea: ‘Going by the rankings she will be in all probability seeded fourth for Sunfeast Open. The official declaration of seedings will be given tomorrow.’
Sania, who was the third seed in last year’s edition of the tournament, will now be seeded behind the Swiss Miss, Croatian Karolina Sprem (50) and Ukrainian Yuliana Fedak (64).
Sania’s conqueror last September Hungarian Melinda Czink (84) will be seeded eighth.
The hard-hitting Hyderabadi’s second round exit had cast a dampener on the proceedings last year and she hopes to make amends this time round.
Sania, who created waves in the international circuit in 2005, with a series of scintillating performances to shot up into the 30s from a miserable 105, had an indifferent season this year, that saw her hurtling down to 70.
But the Indian tennis sensational seemed unfazed even after she found herself down 16 places from No 54.
‘It’s not humanly possible to repeat it year after year. I am optimistic,’ Sania has reportedly said.
Sania’s performance was also hampered by a spate of injuries in her short career in the WTA circuit and rubbished statements that her game was found out.
She looked ecstatic about the ATP event and said Hingis’ star value will add to the sport’s popularity.
Sania is however, currently enjoying a career-high doubles ranking as World No.28. She will partner top doubles player Liezel Huber from South Africa in Sunfeast Open.
Sania and Huber will be chasing their third title together, having won the WTA Bangalore Open Tennis Tournament earlier this season and the Hyderabad Open in 2004.
The duo were also the finalists at the doubles event at Amelia Island in 2006, where the pair’s golden run in the tournament came to an end at the hands of the Japanese-Slovenian pair of Shinobu Asagoe and Katarina Srebotnik
Former World No 1 Martina Hingis, currently ranked at No 9 in the WTA lists, will lead the seedings in the 32-player draw.
Said Sunfeast Tournament Director Jaidip Mukherjea: ‘Going by the rankings she will be in all probability seeded fourth for Sunfeast Open. The official declaration of seedings will be given tomorrow.’
Sania, who was the third seed in last year’s edition of the tournament, will now be seeded behind the Swiss Miss, Croatian Karolina Sprem (50) and Ukrainian Yuliana Fedak (64).
Sania’s conqueror last September Hungarian Melinda Czink (84) will be seeded eighth.
The hard-hitting Hyderabadi’s second round exit had cast a dampener on the proceedings last year and she hopes to make amends this time round.
Sania, who created waves in the international circuit in 2005, with a series of scintillating performances to shot up into the 30s from a miserable 105, had an indifferent season this year, that saw her hurtling down to 70.
But the Indian tennis sensational seemed unfazed even after she found herself down 16 places from No 54.
‘It’s not humanly possible to repeat it year after year. I am optimistic,’ Sania has reportedly said.
Sania’s performance was also hampered by a spate of injuries in her short career in the WTA circuit and rubbished statements that her game was found out.
She looked ecstatic about the ATP event and said Hingis’ star value will add to the sport’s popularity.
Sania is however, currently enjoying a career-high doubles ranking as World No.28. She will partner top doubles player Liezel Huber from South Africa in Sunfeast Open.
Sania and Huber will be chasing their third title together, having won the WTA Bangalore Open Tennis Tournament earlier this season and the Hyderabad Open in 2004.
The duo were also the finalists at the doubles event at Amelia Island in 2006, where the pair’s golden run in the tournament came to an end at the hands of the Japanese-Slovenian pair of Shinobu Asagoe and Katarina Srebotnik
Sania promotes Sunfeast Open
India's number one woman tennis player Sania Mirza will be in action at next week's Sunfeast Open and was in Mumbai to promote the event.Sania, who has slipped from her highest ranking of 33 in 2005 to her current ranking of 70, is however not too worried. She is concentrating on "promoting" commodities rather than playing. So nothing to worry about the ranking!
The Hyderabadi will also be seen in action later on this year during the Asian Games where she could be seen combining with Leander Paes in the mixed doubles event.
Monday, September 11, 2006
Sania's ranking plummets to 70
Sania Mirza continues her downward journey! It's a huge slump for Sania Mirza in the latest WTA rankings announced on Monday, the 19-year-old has fallen 16 places from 54 to a lovely 70.It is after Sania lost in the second round of the US Open whereas she had reached the fourth round last year.
However, the good news is that Sania will have a chance to climb up if she comes up with a good show at the Sunfeast open in Kolkata next week.
Martina Hingis, the world number 9, will also play in the event.
Sania, however retains her ranking of 28 in doubles while Leander Paes' doubles title at the US Open has taken him back into the top 10 doubles players of the world at number nine.
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Sania's game hasn't improved: Brett
NEW DELHI, Sept 7: Tennis guru Bob Brett says "God given talent" has carried Sania Mirza so far but to go further in the game, the Indian ace must work hard on her fitness.
"Sania has been winning so far on her God given talent ... from here on, she must suffer the physical pain," Brett, with whom Sania has had brief stints in the past, said.
"The bench mark for today's women players is Justine Henin-Hardenne. And for men, it is Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
"Sania must aspire to that level. It is important for her to address this, to face the challenge of modern tennis," said the Italian, in the city for a three-day coaching programme sponsored by 'Head'.
Brett, who has coached the likes of Boris Becker, Andy Roddick and Marat Safin among other leading players, said Sania is a much more improved player technically and physically now than she was a few years back.
"We should judge her at the end of her career. She is physically better than she was three years ago, technically better than two years ago," he said.
On Sania struggling to string together a few wins in her second year as senior pro, Brett said she was probably focussing more on her weaknesses and in the process had failed to work on her strengths.
"Her backhand has definitely improved and so has her serve. But she has started to miss her forehands," observed Brett, at whose academy in Italy other Indian players like Rohan Bopanna and Harsh Mankad have also trained.
"Athletes are traditionally obsessed with improving their weakness, without paying attention to the development of their strengths.
"Now she has started to think about her forehand. It is still one of the best in the game, the instinct has not disappeared from her character."
Brett, who is also currently the coach of Japanese Davis Cup team, said Sania was going through the "historically difficult second year".
"It is easy to jump from 480 to 30 in rankings than to move from 30 to 20, because then the competition becomes tougher and the expectations become higher." Her game hasn't improved that quickly as her rankings. And her opponents have started to identify her areas of weaknesses.
He said Sania must find a balance between going for her shots and cutting down the unforced errors, and cited her match against Maria Sharapova at the US Open last year as an instance.
"When you are playing a 480-ranked player, you can finish the point in a couple of shots. But when you are playing a top-10 player, they are going to consistently put the ball back. She certainly needs to go for the winners but she must balance it with some degree of patience." Brett advised Sania to not just use her forehand as a standout weapon but make it a part of her armoury.
"Individually great shots give you an advantage. But when you combine it with other aspects of the game, like serving, volleying and etc, it gives a long lasting chance for greatness." On the 19-year-old Hyderabadi lass switching three coaches this year, the Italian said probaby she did not strike the "right chemistry" with them.
"Any coaching change requires nine months to see its results. Anything earlier is good fortune," he said. "It is all about finding the right chemistry. To have a good understanding is important. It is about making the right decision, finding the right person at the right time." Brett also warned her critics not to treat Sania's "wins as successes and losses as failures."
"She has the ability to be a much higher-ranked player."
"Sania has been winning so far on her God given talent ... from here on, she must suffer the physical pain," Brett, with whom Sania has had brief stints in the past, said.
"The bench mark for today's women players is Justine Henin-Hardenne. And for men, it is Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
"Sania must aspire to that level. It is important for her to address this, to face the challenge of modern tennis," said the Italian, in the city for a three-day coaching programme sponsored by 'Head'.
Brett, who has coached the likes of Boris Becker, Andy Roddick and Marat Safin among other leading players, said Sania is a much more improved player technically and physically now than she was a few years back.
"We should judge her at the end of her career. She is physically better than she was three years ago, technically better than two years ago," he said.
On Sania struggling to string together a few wins in her second year as senior pro, Brett said she was probably focussing more on her weaknesses and in the process had failed to work on her strengths.
"Her backhand has definitely improved and so has her serve. But she has started to miss her forehands," observed Brett, at whose academy in Italy other Indian players like Rohan Bopanna and Harsh Mankad have also trained.
"Athletes are traditionally obsessed with improving their weakness, without paying attention to the development of their strengths.
"Now she has started to think about her forehand. It is still one of the best in the game, the instinct has not disappeared from her character."
Brett, who is also currently the coach of Japanese Davis Cup team, said Sania was going through the "historically difficult second year".
"It is easy to jump from 480 to 30 in rankings than to move from 30 to 20, because then the competition becomes tougher and the expectations become higher." Her game hasn't improved that quickly as her rankings. And her opponents have started to identify her areas of weaknesses.
He said Sania must find a balance between going for her shots and cutting down the unforced errors, and cited her match against Maria Sharapova at the US Open last year as an instance.
"When you are playing a 480-ranked player, you can finish the point in a couple of shots. But when you are playing a top-10 player, they are going to consistently put the ball back. She certainly needs to go for the winners but she must balance it with some degree of patience." Brett advised Sania to not just use her forehand as a standout weapon but make it a part of her armoury.
"Individually great shots give you an advantage. But when you combine it with other aspects of the game, like serving, volleying and etc, it gives a long lasting chance for greatness." On the 19-year-old Hyderabadi lass switching three coaches this year, the Italian said probaby she did not strike the "right chemistry" with them.
"Any coaching change requires nine months to see its results. Anything earlier is good fortune," he said. "It is all about finding the right chemistry. To have a good understanding is important. It is about making the right decision, finding the right person at the right time." Brett also warned her critics not to treat Sania's "wins as successes and losses as failures."
"She has the ability to be a much higher-ranked player."
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Sania to play round two at US Open
Sania Mirza is set to meet Italian 14th seed Francesca Schiavone in the second round of the $5,690,000 US Open after one of her best wins of the year.
The 19-year-old Sania, who lost in the quarter-finals at the Forest Hills US Open primer last week, beat experienced Croat Karolina Sprem 6-4, 6-2 in 75 minutes in the first round at Flushing Meadows Monday.
Steadier on her serve and more aggressive with her ground strokes, Sania got the breakthrough she was looking for in the 10th game to take the opening set 6-4. Quickly pushing home her advantage, she jumped out into a 4-1 lead to take the set 6-2 and move into the second round.
Apart from singles, Sania has entered the women's doubles event with Liezel Huber of South Africa and the mixed doubles event with Pavel Vizner of the Czech Republic.
Sania became the first Indian woman to reach the women's singles fourth round at her first US Open in 2005. She then lost to Maria Sharapova of Russia in the pre-quarterfinals in the singles, but could not go beyond the first round in the doubles.
Meanwhile, World No. 1 star Amelie Mauresmo and former top-ranked players Martina Hingis and Serena Williams also posted first round wins on Wednesday.
The reigning Wimbledon, Australian Open and WTA Championships title holder, Mauresmo needed two days to get past qualifier Kristina Barrois 6-1, 7-5.
The match was suspended because of rain on Tuesday, with Barrois leading 5-2 in the second set, but the top-seeded French star returned to the court to win five straight games, and the match, on Day 3 of the Open.
An eighth-seeded Hingis snuck past Chinese Shuai Peng 4-6, 6-1, 6-3. The five-time Grand Slam champion Hingis titled here in 1997 and was the back-to-back runner-up in 1998 and 1999.
An unseeded Williams trounced Spaniard Lourdes Dominguez Lino 6-1, 6-2 in 55 minutes. The seven-time Grand Slam title holder Serena captured the US Open in 1999 and 2002 and was the runner-up to her big sister Venus in 2001.
The 19-year-old Sania, who lost in the quarter-finals at the Forest Hills US Open primer last week, beat experienced Croat Karolina Sprem 6-4, 6-2 in 75 minutes in the first round at Flushing Meadows Monday.
Steadier on her serve and more aggressive with her ground strokes, Sania got the breakthrough she was looking for in the 10th game to take the opening set 6-4. Quickly pushing home her advantage, she jumped out into a 4-1 lead to take the set 6-2 and move into the second round.
Apart from singles, Sania has entered the women's doubles event with Liezel Huber of South Africa and the mixed doubles event with Pavel Vizner of the Czech Republic.
Sania became the first Indian woman to reach the women's singles fourth round at her first US Open in 2005. She then lost to Maria Sharapova of Russia in the pre-quarterfinals in the singles, but could not go beyond the first round in the doubles.
Meanwhile, World No. 1 star Amelie Mauresmo and former top-ranked players Martina Hingis and Serena Williams also posted first round wins on Wednesday.
The reigning Wimbledon, Australian Open and WTA Championships title holder, Mauresmo needed two days to get past qualifier Kristina Barrois 6-1, 7-5.
The match was suspended because of rain on Tuesday, with Barrois leading 5-2 in the second set, but the top-seeded French star returned to the court to win five straight games, and the match, on Day 3 of the Open.
An eighth-seeded Hingis snuck past Chinese Shuai Peng 4-6, 6-1, 6-3. The five-time Grand Slam champion Hingis titled here in 1997 and was the back-to-back runner-up in 1998 and 1999.
An unseeded Williams trounced Spaniard Lourdes Dominguez Lino 6-1, 6-2 in 55 minutes. The seven-time Grand Slam title holder Serena captured the US Open in 1999 and 2002 and was the runner-up to her big sister Venus in 2001.
Monday, August 28, 2006
Sania loses in second round
New York: Sania Mirza stretched herself against fourth seed Lourdes Dominguez Lino of Spain but still lost in her rain-interrupted singles second round match at the Forest Hill Women's Tennis Classic tournament on Friday.Sania lost 4-6, 7-5, 3-6 after resuming the play at 3-4 in the first set, which was interrupted by rains and play was suspended on Thursday.
The Indian, clinging on to 44th rank for around a month now, was brave enough to fight back into the match in the second set but ran out of steam in the decider to Lino, who is just one rank above her in the WTA charts.
Meanwhile in New Haven, Lindsay Davenport overcame a rain delay, a sore shoulder and the hard-hitting Samantha Stosur to advance to the final of the Pilot Pen tournament with a 7-6(3), 7-6(7) victory in two hours on Friday.
She will play Justine Henin-Hardenne, who advanced with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Svetlana Kuznetsova.
Sania slips down to 54th in rankings
NEW DELHI: Sania Mirza’s poor form has seen her drop out of the top-50 place in the latest WTA world rankings. The Hyderabadi teenager slipped 10 places to 54 in the rankings released on Monday.
The US-based Shikha Uberoi is the next highest ranked Indian in singles at 191, with 140.75 points. Shikha is followed by Ankita Bhambri (53.75) at the 362nd spot.
Sania sits three steps below her first round US Open opponent Karolina Sperm (51) of Croatia in the singles list.
French Amelie Mauresmo (2470) continues to lead the pack followed by Belgium's Justine Henin-Hardenne (3078). Lindsay Davenport (1530) has dropped out of the top 10, slipping to the 11th position.
The US-based Shikha Uberoi is the next highest ranked Indian in singles at 191, with 140.75 points. Shikha is followed by Ankita Bhambri (53.75) at the 362nd spot.
Sania sits three steps below her first round US Open opponent Karolina Sperm (51) of Croatia in the singles list.
French Amelie Mauresmo (2470) continues to lead the pack followed by Belgium's Justine Henin-Hardenne (3078). Lindsay Davenport (1530) has dropped out of the top 10, slipping to the 11th position.
Monday, August 21, 2006
Sania finds soul sister in Pak swimmer
COLOMBO, Aug 20: Quite content with turning out in body suits at international swimming meets, Pakistan's top female swimmer,
Rubab Raza, fired a salvo for Sania Mirza, who has had to face a barrage of criticism from Islamic clerics in India for her 'provocative dress sense.'
"Sania is not roaming around the streets in skirts for fun. She is representing her country as any other sportsperson and people should respect her for that instead of criticising her," Raza said on the sidelines of the South Asian Games' swimming competition where, on Saturday, she won bronze in the 50m freestyle.
"One should look at her game and not her clothes," the 17-year-old said. "She is justified in wearing skirts," said Rubab, who herself has had to face criticism for taking to a sport which requires exposing the body.
Unlike Sania, though, Raza and other female Pakistani swimmers found a way out a similar spot in Pakistan which doesn't allow them participating in provocative clothes unbecoming of a Muslim girl.
Raza competes in full-length skin tight swim suits as wearing a swimming costume is taboo in her country. It was in view at the 2004 Athens Olympics where she was the first Pakistani female swimmer.
At her diplomatic best, she even felt that body suits enabled them to swim faster. "I don't think it pegs us back at all. In fact I think it allows you to swim faster," she said. "It covers the whole body, fitting it like second skin.
Australia's champion swimmer Ian Thorpe, who popularised and wore it for the first time, is a standout example," she added.
"It was only after these full-length suits were introduced that we could start competing in international meets around six years ago. In fact, even back home we could not swim in the usual short swim suits."
Rubab made many heads turn when she competed in the Greek capital. "When I started, swimming was a male bastion. But becoming the first swimmer from Pakistan at Olympics was a huge step. Now Pakistani women swimmers have improved their performances further."
Rubab Raza, fired a salvo for Sania Mirza, who has had to face a barrage of criticism from Islamic clerics in India for her 'provocative dress sense.'
"Sania is not roaming around the streets in skirts for fun. She is representing her country as any other sportsperson and people should respect her for that instead of criticising her," Raza said on the sidelines of the South Asian Games' swimming competition where, on Saturday, she won bronze in the 50m freestyle.
"One should look at her game and not her clothes," the 17-year-old said. "She is justified in wearing skirts," said Rubab, who herself has had to face criticism for taking to a sport which requires exposing the body.
Unlike Sania, though, Raza and other female Pakistani swimmers found a way out a similar spot in Pakistan which doesn't allow them participating in provocative clothes unbecoming of a Muslim girl.
Raza competes in full-length skin tight swim suits as wearing a swimming costume is taboo in her country. It was in view at the 2004 Athens Olympics where she was the first Pakistani female swimmer.
At her diplomatic best, she even felt that body suits enabled them to swim faster. "I don't think it pegs us back at all. In fact I think it allows you to swim faster," she said. "It covers the whole body, fitting it like second skin.
Australia's champion swimmer Ian Thorpe, who popularised and wore it for the first time, is a standout example," she added.
"It was only after these full-length suits were introduced that we could start competing in international meets around six years ago. In fact, even back home we could not swim in the usual short swim suits."
Rubab made many heads turn when she competed in the Greek capital. "When I started, swimming was a male bastion. But becoming the first swimmer from Pakistan at Olympics was a huge step. Now Pakistani women swimmers have improved their performances further."
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Sania-Huber crash out
NEW DELHI: Sania Mirza, partnering South Africa's Liezel Huber, crashed out of doubles at the J P Morgan Chase Open women's tennis event in Los Angeles after a first round loss to Ana Ivanovic of Serbia and Russia's Maria Kirilenko in straight sets on Tuesday.
Sania and Huber lost 7-6 (2) 6-2 to the wild card entrants of the USD 600,000 Tier II event on the WTA Tour.
The 19-year old Indian had a enjoyed series of good results in doubles recently that included a final appearance in Cincinnati Open and also made it to the quarterfinal of Acura Classic last week.
Sania will take on Jelena Jankovic, World no. 29, of Serbia and Montenegro in the singles first round later on Tuesday.
Sania and Huber lost 7-6 (2) 6-2 to the wild card entrants of the USD 600,000 Tier II event on the WTA Tour.
The 19-year old Indian had a enjoyed series of good results in doubles recently that included a final appearance in Cincinnati Open and also made it to the quarterfinal of Acura Classic last week.
Sania will take on Jelena Jankovic, World no. 29, of Serbia and Montenegro in the singles first round later on Tuesday.
Saturday, August 05, 2006
Sania loses in doubles quarters
New Delhi, Aug 05: Sania Mirza and her South African partner Liezel Huber crashed out of the doubles competition at the WTA Acura Classic after losing to German Anna-Lena Groenefeld and USA's Meghann Shaughnessy in the quarterfinal.
Sania and Liezel, seeded eighth at the event, went down in straight sets 6-2 7-5 against the fourth seeded German-American pair.
Groenefeld and Shaughnessy will now face top seeds American Lisa Raymond and Samantha Stosur of Australia for a place in the final of the San Diego Hardcourt tournament.
The victors, who had a bye in the first round and had an easy second round victory, kept up their form to wrap up the first set in convincing fashion.
However, Sania and Huber gave their more fancied opponents a tough run in the second set before faltering at the end.
Sania and Liezel, seeded eighth at the event, went down in straight sets 6-2 7-5 against the fourth seeded German-American pair.
Groenefeld and Shaughnessy will now face top seeds American Lisa Raymond and Samantha Stosur of Australia for a place in the final of the San Diego Hardcourt tournament.
The victors, who had a bye in the first round and had an easy second round victory, kept up their form to wrap up the first set in convincing fashion.
However, Sania and Huber gave their more fancied opponents a tough run in the second set before faltering at the end.
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Sania upsets former world No 11
NEW DELHI: Sania Mirza showed signs of her fine form with a straight-set victory over former world no. 11 Meghan Shaunessy in the first round of the USD 1.3 million Acura Classic WTA Tour event in San Diego, California.Sania, whose ranking has slipped to 44, posted a crisp 6-3, 6-1 over Shaugnessy, who has four career titles to her credit, to sail into the second round of the US hard court event on Tuesday.
The 19-year old Indian next plays Katarina Srebotnik of Slovakia in the second round later on Wednesday.
Monday, July 31, 2006
Sania Mirza and Bethanie Mattek of US went down in straight sets to Italy's Maria Elena Camerin and Gisela Dulko of Argentina
Sania Mirza and Bethanie Mattek of US went down in straight sets to Italy's Maria Elena Camerin and Gisela Dulko of Argentina in the doubles semifinal of the Bank of West Classic tournament at Stanford, USA.
The fourth-seed pair of Dulko and Camerin carved out a 6-4 6-3 win to make a place in the final of the USD 600,000 Tier II event.
Sania had reached the finals last week at Mason in the Tier III WTA event, partnering with Poland's Marta Domashowska, which also fetched her the career best doubles ranking of 31.
The fourth-seed pair of Dulko and Camerin carved out a 6-4 6-3 win to make a place in the final of the USD 600,000 Tier II event.
Sania had reached the finals last week at Mason in the Tier III WTA event, partnering with Poland's Marta Domashowska, which also fetched her the career best doubles ranking of 31.
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Sania crashes out of WTA event
New Delhi, July 26 (PTI): Sania Mirza was shown the doors by little known Russian Vasilisa Bardina in straight sets in the first round of the $ 600,000 WTA event at Stanford, USA.
Sania crashed out of the Tier II hard court event 6-3, 6-2.
The 42-ranked Sania, who made it into the quarterfinals of the Cincinnati Open last week, missed the desired consistency required once again and went down to Bardina.
She lost the first set without much of a fight and was swept aside in the second.
Bardina will play Anna-Lena Groenefeld, who received a bye in the first round, the second round.
Sania is partnering American Bethanie Mattek in doubles and will meet the Russian-Ukrainian pair of Alla Kudryavtseva and Tetiana Luzhanska in the first round.
US-based Shikha Oberoi and Yelena Jankovic beat top seed pair of Slovak Daniela Hantuchova and Ai Sugiyama of Japan 6-3, 6-4 to sail into the second round of the doubles event.
Monday, July 17, 2006
Sania pitted against Jankovic in opening round
Ohio, July 17: Unseeded Sania Mirza will be up against fifth seed Jelena Jankovic of Serbia in the first round of the USD 175,000 Cincinnati Open WTA tennis event starting at Ohio, USA, on Monday.
Sania, who slipped two places in rankings to be 40th after last week's Wimbledon Grand Slam, will try to consolidate her position before next month's US Open Grand Slam.
However, it would be a tough ask for the Indian here in the presence of top seed Patty Schnyder, second seed and former US Open champion Anastasia Myskina, Venus Williams and Daniela Hantuchova.
Meanwhile, Shikha Uberoi will be tested by Abigall Spears of USA in the second round of the qualifying tournament for the event.
Shikha, who is representing India, was given a bye in the first round while Spears advanced after fighting it out 6-1 6-7 (1) 6-0 with compatriot Lauren Imre for a place in the main draw of the Tier III tournament.
However, Shikha's sister Neha's hopes of qualifying for the only WTA event in the midwest region were dashed as she was defeated by another American Carly Gullickson 6-2 6-2.
Another contender of Indian origin, Shilpa Joshi, also playing under the USA flag, lost to Salome Devidze 1-6 1-6.
Sania, who slipped two places in rankings to be 40th after last week's Wimbledon Grand Slam, will try to consolidate her position before next month's US Open Grand Slam.
However, it would be a tough ask for the Indian here in the presence of top seed Patty Schnyder, second seed and former US Open champion Anastasia Myskina, Venus Williams and Daniela Hantuchova.
Meanwhile, Shikha Uberoi will be tested by Abigall Spears of USA in the second round of the qualifying tournament for the event.
Shikha, who is representing India, was given a bye in the first round while Spears advanced after fighting it out 6-1 6-7 (1) 6-0 with compatriot Lauren Imre for a place in the main draw of the Tier III tournament.
However, Shikha's sister Neha's hopes of qualifying for the only WTA event in the midwest region were dashed as she was defeated by another American Carly Gullickson 6-2 6-2.
Another contender of Indian origin, Shilpa Joshi, also playing under the USA flag, lost to Salome Devidze 1-6 1-6.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Sania yet to play her best: Bhupathi
Kolkata, July 12 (IANS) Indian tennis sensation Sania Mirza's best play is still some two years away, Davis Cupper Mahesh Bhupathi said here Wednesday.
'Not too much should be seen from her early exits (from the international tournaments she plays). She is falling far short of the kind of tennis she is capable of,' Bhupati told reporters here while announcing Martina Hingis' participation in the Sunfeast Open tennis championship here in September.
'But she will improve. She is on an upward curve and in about three years time she will break into the top 10. She has that in her,' Bhupati, a doubles specialist, maintained.
'She will be at her prime when she is around 22,' Mahesh said, whose Globosports company manages Mirza's career.
Mirza has recently dropped to World No 40 on the WTA rankings after early exits from Roland Garros and Wimbledon. The Hyderabadi dazzler has shown an indifferent form even after brilliant starts and that has cost her a few spots over the last few months.
Source: http://www.dailyindia.com/show/41968.php/Sania_yet_to_play_her_best:_Bhupathi
'Not too much should be seen from her early exits (from the international tournaments she plays). She is falling far short of the kind of tennis she is capable of,' Bhupati told reporters here while announcing Martina Hingis' participation in the Sunfeast Open tennis championship here in September.
'But she will improve. She is on an upward curve and in about three years time she will break into the top 10. She has that in her,' Bhupati, a doubles specialist, maintained.
'She will be at her prime when she is around 22,' Mahesh said, whose Globosports company manages Mirza's career.
Mirza has recently dropped to World No 40 on the WTA rankings after early exits from Roland Garros and Wimbledon. The Hyderabadi dazzler has shown an indifferent form even after brilliant starts and that has cost her a few spots over the last few months.
Source: http://www.dailyindia.com/show/41968.php/Sania_yet_to_play_her_best:_Bhupathi
Sania yet to play her best: Bhupathi
Kolkata, July 12 (IANS) Indian tennis sensation Sania Mirza's best play is still some two years away, Davis Cupper Mahesh Bhupathi said here Wednesday.
'Not too much should be seen from her early exits (from the international tournaments she plays). She is falling far short of the kind of tennis she is capable of,' Bhupati told reporters here while announcing Martina Hingis' participation in the Sunfeast Open tennis championship here in September.
'But she will improve. She is on an upward curve and in about three years time she will break into the top 10. She has that in her,' Bhupati, a doubles specialist, maintained.
'She will be at her prime when she is around 22,' Mahesh said, whose Globosports company manages Mirza's career.
Mirza has recently dropped to World No 40 on the WTA rankings after early exits from Roland Garros and Wimbledon. The Hyderabadi dazzler has shown an indifferent form even after brilliant starts and that has cost her a few spots over the last few months.
Source: http://www.dailyindia.com/show/41968.php/Sania_yet_to_play_her_best:_Bhupathi
'Not too much should be seen from her early exits (from the international tournaments she plays). She is falling far short of the kind of tennis she is capable of,' Bhupati told reporters here while announcing Martina Hingis' participation in the Sunfeast Open tennis championship here in September.
'But she will improve. She is on an upward curve and in about three years time she will break into the top 10. She has that in her,' Bhupati, a doubles specialist, maintained.
'She will be at her prime when she is around 22,' Mahesh said, whose Globosports company manages Mirza's career.
Mirza has recently dropped to World No 40 on the WTA rankings after early exits from Roland Garros and Wimbledon. The Hyderabadi dazzler has shown an indifferent form even after brilliant starts and that has cost her a few spots over the last few months.
Source: http://www.dailyindia.com/show/41968.php/Sania_yet_to_play_her_best:_Bhupathi
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Sania Mirza slips to 40th rank
New Delhi - India’s tennis ace Sania Mirza, who lost in the first round of the Wimbledon singles competition, has slipped two places to 40th in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings released Monday.
Sania, 19, now has 501.50 points, which places her fourth highest ranked among Asians. The highest ranked Asian is Japanese Ai Sugiyama, who ranked 19th.
Frenchwomen Amelie Mauresmo, who won the women’s title at the just concluded Wimbledon Championships, heads the overall WTA rankings, according to its official website.
Sania lost to Russian Elena Dementieva in the first round of Wimbledon, causing her to slip in the rankings.
In the doubles, Sania holds on to her 33rd rank.
Although Sania and Michaella Krajicek of the Netherlands lost to Dementieva and Flavia Pennetta of Italy in the second round of Wimbledon, the result did not affect the Hyderabadi girl’s ranking.
Source: http://indiaenews.com/2006-07/14340-sania-mirza-slips-40th-rank.htm
Sania, 19, now has 501.50 points, which places her fourth highest ranked among Asians. The highest ranked Asian is Japanese Ai Sugiyama, who ranked 19th.
Frenchwomen Amelie Mauresmo, who won the women’s title at the just concluded Wimbledon Championships, heads the overall WTA rankings, according to its official website.
Sania lost to Russian Elena Dementieva in the first round of Wimbledon, causing her to slip in the rankings.
In the doubles, Sania holds on to her 33rd rank.
Although Sania and Michaella Krajicek of the Netherlands lost to Dementieva and Flavia Pennetta of Italy in the second round of Wimbledon, the result did not affect the Hyderabadi girl’s ranking.
Source: http://indiaenews.com/2006-07/14340-sania-mirza-slips-40th-rank.htm
Sunday, July 09, 2006
Sania to instil reading habit among youngsters in UK
London, July 09: India`s Sania Mirza is among a group of celebrity sportspersons taking part in a charity campaign aimed at encouraging reading habit among children.
The Indian has joined the likes of Venus Williams, Lleyton Hewitt and Tim Henman, alongside cricketers, rugby players, footballers, wrestlers and a basketball star to discuss their favourite books for the national literary trust`s reading champions campaign.
The trust, involved in raising literacy standards for all age groups in the UK, is hoping children will be persuaded to get into the habit of reading for pleasure by their sporting role models.
Sania Mirza, Maria Sharapova and Martina Hingis all enjoyed best-selling author Dan Brown`s thrillers "Da Vinci Code" and "Angels and Demons".
"We`re thrilled that such elite players value reading and have taken time to support this scheme," Katy Hamlin, manager of the Trust`S Study Support Centre said.
"Having reading role models is really important for young people and it`s so encouraging to know that our pupils may be motivated to pick up a new book and share the reading experience of a world-class tennis player."
Venus Williams said she liked "Charm School" by Susan Wiggs. "Reading is very important. I always have a book with me. It opens my mind, it strengthens my vocabulary, it's fun."
Neil McClelland, the trust`s director, said: "Sports stars can have a tremendous influence on people`s attitudes. By encouraging young people to view reading as a champion`s pastime, these players are helping to inspire young people to become readers."
Source: http://www.zeenews.com/znnew/articles.asp?aid=308052&ssid=92&sid=SPO
The Indian has joined the likes of Venus Williams, Lleyton Hewitt and Tim Henman, alongside cricketers, rugby players, footballers, wrestlers and a basketball star to discuss their favourite books for the national literary trust`s reading champions campaign.
The trust, involved in raising literacy standards for all age groups in the UK, is hoping children will be persuaded to get into the habit of reading for pleasure by their sporting role models.
Sania Mirza, Maria Sharapova and Martina Hingis all enjoyed best-selling author Dan Brown`s thrillers "Da Vinci Code" and "Angels and Demons".
"We`re thrilled that such elite players value reading and have taken time to support this scheme," Katy Hamlin, manager of the Trust`S Study Support Centre said.
"Having reading role models is really important for young people and it`s so encouraging to know that our pupils may be motivated to pick up a new book and share the reading experience of a world-class tennis player."
Venus Williams said she liked "Charm School" by Susan Wiggs. "Reading is very important. I always have a book with me. It opens my mind, it strengthens my vocabulary, it's fun."
Neil McClelland, the trust`s director, said: "Sports stars can have a tremendous influence on people`s attitudes. By encouraging young people to view reading as a champion`s pastime, these players are helping to inspire young people to become readers."
Source: http://www.zeenews.com/znnew/articles.asp?aid=308052&ssid=92&sid=SPO
Monday, July 03, 2006
Sania out of doubles at Wimbledon
Sania Mirza, pairing with Michaella Krajicek of the Netherland, bowed out of the women's doubles event after losing to Russia's Elena Dementieva and Flavia Pennetta of Italy in the second round on Monday.
The eighth seed pair of Dementieva, who caused Sania's exit in the singles as well, proved to be her nemesis once again as she along with Pennetta carved out a 6-4 6-2 win to advance to the third round. (PTI)
Sorce: http://www.ndtv.com/sports/wimbledondefault.asp?id=29072
The eighth seed pair of Dementieva, who caused Sania's exit in the singles as well, proved to be her nemesis once again as she along with Pennetta carved out a 6-4 6-2 win to advance to the third round. (PTI)
Sorce: http://www.ndtv.com/sports/wimbledondefault.asp?id=29072
Sunday, July 02, 2006
Sania-Vizner in second round of mixed doubles
London, July. 2 (PTI): Sania Mirza and Pavel Vizner of Czech Republic nipped a late challenge by Fenando Verdasco and Anabel Medina Garrigues to move into the second round of the Wimbledon Grand Slam mixed doubles tennis here on Saturday.
Sania and Vizner defeated the Spanish duo 6-2 7-5 in the first round to set up a clash with Czech Republic's Leos Friedl and Liezl Huber of South Africa.
Fourth seeds Leander Paes and Samantha Stosur, who had a bye in the first round, were level with Australian Paul Hanley and Tatiana Perebiynis of Ukraine 4-6 6-3 9-9 in the second round tie when play was suspended due to bad light.
The match will be continued on Monday.
Mahesh Bhupathi and China's Zi Yan, seeded 11th, also had a first round bye. They will be up against Americans Bob Bryan and Venus Williams in the second round.
Sania and Vizner defeated the Spanish duo 6-2 7-5 in the first round to set up a clash with Czech Republic's Leos Friedl and Liezl Huber of South Africa.
Fourth seeds Leander Paes and Samantha Stosur, who had a bye in the first round, were level with Australian Paul Hanley and Tatiana Perebiynis of Ukraine 4-6 6-3 9-9 in the second round tie when play was suspended due to bad light.
The match will be continued on Monday.
Mahesh Bhupathi and China's Zi Yan, seeded 11th, also had a first round bye. They will be up against Americans Bob Bryan and Venus Williams in the second round.
Friday, June 30, 2006
Sania Mirza hopes to get lucky
Sania Mirza will head to the hard courts of the United States determined to prove that she is a better player than her early French Open and Wimbledon exits suggest.Mirza was knocked out of the first round at Wimbledon by Elena Dementieva, the Russian seventh seed 7-6 (7/5), 7-5.
But Sania believes the US hard court season will see a much-needed change in fortune. "Luck has not really been on my side. I played Myskina who loves clay in Paris and Dementieva here," said Mirza. "I'm not very disappointed but I played a decent match. I've always learnt to take positives out of my game."
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Dementieva Dispatches Sania Mirza
Seventh seed Elena Dementieva moved into the second round of The Championships after a close 7-6 (7-5), 7-5 encounter with India’s Sania Mirza.During the first set, Dementieva, making her eighth visit to the grass courts of SW19, insisted on serving to the Mirza forehand. After seeing the ball consistently returned at twice the rate, the Russian, who lost in the fourth round last year to compatriot Anastasia Myskina, started to mix things up, clawing her way back into the match from 5-2 down and forcing a tie-break. In truth however, it was Mirza who had squandered the initiative, having led by a double break and throwing away both with double faults at break point down.
Mirza, who was featured on the cover of Asia’s Time magazine in its special feature on “Asia’s Heroes”, was playing with strappings on her right elbow as well as on both ankles. She started brightly in the tie-break by bludgeoning her forehands to all parts of the court.
Dementieva, who won the pair’s only previous encounter on the hard courts of Indian Wells earlier this year, stood firm and won a critical 24-stroke-rally when the score was locked at five points all. She won the set on her first opportunity after another fantastic rally ended with a backhand winner from the tall Russian.
Mirza is no stranger to grass courts having won the Wimbledon junior doubles title in 2003. However, she could not edge ahead in a topsy-turvy second set which saw another seven breaks of serve. Mirza was making her second appearance in the event having lost last year to Svetlana Kuznetsova on Centre Court, and managed just three winners compared to fifteen in the first set.
Dementieva kept her nerve when it mattered and secured a place in the second round where she will play American Meghann Shaughnessy.
Source: http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/news/reports/2006-06-28/200606281151520408562.htmlWednesday, June 28, 2006
Sania to face Dementieva in round one
Sania Mirza starts her Wimbledon campaign later on Wednesday with a tough first round match against seventh seed Elena Dementieva.
The Russian won their previous encounter earlier this year at Indian Wells.
Sania reached the second round at Wimbledon last year and is a junior doubles champion.
Sania's best performance in a grand slam came last year when she reached the fourth round of the US Open.
The Russian won their previous encounter earlier this year at Indian Wells.
Sania reached the second round at Wimbledon last year and is a junior doubles champion.
Sania's best performance in a grand slam came last year when she reached the fourth round of the US Open.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Sania strives to get even with Dementieva
London, June 27: Sania Mirza is undaunted by the tough draw handed out to her at the Wimbledon grand slam and hopes to do one-set better than last time when she takes on seventh seed Elena Dementieva in the singles opening round.
"Obviously, this is a very tough first round and the problem with playing a top-10 player is that unless you play at your best, they have the capacity to humiliate you on court," Sania told reporters.
The Russian beat the 19-year old Indian 5-7 6-4 6-4 the last and only time they met at Indian Wells earlier this year.
The Hyderabadi lass is keen to set that 0-1 head-to-head record straight against Dementieva.
"She is one of the hardest strikers of the ball that I have ever played against. I played a very tight three-setter againt her last time and I hope to give a good account myself this time," Sania said.
The teenager caused ripples on her maiden appearance at Wimbledon last year when she gave Svetlana Kuznetsova a run for her money before going down in the second round.
"I hope to make it as memorable as my last year," she said.
The preparations have not gone exactly according to plans, though. Although she reached the third round at the DFS Classic - her best performance of the season - a fortnight back, a lack of communication saw her land in Don Bosch, Holland, last week instead of slugging it out against the cream of women's tennis at Eastbourne in London.
Sania travelled to the Netherlands with the intention of gaining some match practice playing alongside local lass Michaela Krajicek with whom she will be pairing in doubles at Wimbledon.
A less weighty draw there also meant that she had a better chance of playing more singles matches.
Unfortunately for her, Krajicek was not aware of her plans and had committed to another player. And Sania's singles programme also took a knock as she went out in the first round.
The Indian ace, however, said she was confident of her form.
"The tune-up matches have not gone as well as I would have liked but I am feeling the ball good and with a little bit of luck, I look forward to some exciting matches in singles and doubles," Sania said.
She has been sparring with a lot of different players including Krajicek, Anna-Lena Groenefeld and Elena Kostanic.
Sania said her game has come up a long way this year and Asif Ismail as coach-cum-hitting partner also has had a positive impact.
"I definitely feel I have improved over the last six months and matured, too.
"But in professional tennis, one has to go on working hard, keep on doing the right things and wait for the right breaks, which will eventually come if you are good enough.
"My coach Asif Ismail is someone I enjoy working with and he is adding new dimensions to the way I play."
Source: http://www.zeenews.com/znnew/articles.asp?aid=305260&ssid=92&sid=SPO
"Obviously, this is a very tough first round and the problem with playing a top-10 player is that unless you play at your best, they have the capacity to humiliate you on court," Sania told reporters.
The Russian beat the 19-year old Indian 5-7 6-4 6-4 the last and only time they met at Indian Wells earlier this year.
The Hyderabadi lass is keen to set that 0-1 head-to-head record straight against Dementieva.
"She is one of the hardest strikers of the ball that I have ever played against. I played a very tight three-setter againt her last time and I hope to give a good account myself this time," Sania said.
The teenager caused ripples on her maiden appearance at Wimbledon last year when she gave Svetlana Kuznetsova a run for her money before going down in the second round.
"I hope to make it as memorable as my last year," she said.
The preparations have not gone exactly according to plans, though. Although she reached the third round at the DFS Classic - her best performance of the season - a fortnight back, a lack of communication saw her land in Don Bosch, Holland, last week instead of slugging it out against the cream of women's tennis at Eastbourne in London.
Sania travelled to the Netherlands with the intention of gaining some match practice playing alongside local lass Michaela Krajicek with whom she will be pairing in doubles at Wimbledon.
A less weighty draw there also meant that she had a better chance of playing more singles matches.
Unfortunately for her, Krajicek was not aware of her plans and had committed to another player. And Sania's singles programme also took a knock as she went out in the first round.
The Indian ace, however, said she was confident of her form.
"The tune-up matches have not gone as well as I would have liked but I am feeling the ball good and with a little bit of luck, I look forward to some exciting matches in singles and doubles," Sania said.
She has been sparring with a lot of different players including Krajicek, Anna-Lena Groenefeld and Elena Kostanic.
Sania said her game has come up a long way this year and Asif Ismail as coach-cum-hitting partner also has had a positive impact.
"I definitely feel I have improved over the last six months and matured, too.
"But in professional tennis, one has to go on working hard, keep on doing the right things and wait for the right breaks, which will eventually come if you are good enough.
"My coach Asif Ismail is someone I enjoy working with and he is adding new dimensions to the way I play."
Source: http://www.zeenews.com/znnew/articles.asp?aid=305260&ssid=92&sid=SPO
Monday, June 26, 2006
Why one billion people can't be wrong about Mirza
YOU don't want to mess with Sania Mirza. 'You can either agree with me or be wrong' read the slogan on one of her figure-hugging tee-shirts. 'Well-behaved women rarely make history' read another, worn at Wimbledon last year, while 'I'm cute? No shit' was emblazoned across her frontage at the US Open in September. Ms Mirza has attitude, in case you had not guessed. When players talk about pressure, they sigh and try to explain what it is like to have a crowd of tennis fans taking an unnatural interest in their every move. Mirza, though, comes from India and not only faces the regular trials and tribulations of a professional athlete and celebrity, she also has one billion people at home following, and discussing, her progress. She admires the likes of Tim Henman and Andy Murray for the way they cope with the media circus that follows them at Wimbledon, but she knows that the pressure she faces is on another level again. "The only difference is that I have a billion people following them and they don't!" she laughed. "I am from India and I have to face it. These are the pressures I'm going to have for the rest of my life and there's nothing I can do about it.
Coming from a nation, and, indeed, a family, of cricket lovers, Mirza broke the mould from the moment she picked up a tennis racket at the age of six. Her talent was obvious from the start but with little by way of training facilities in her home town of Hyderabad, and with only her father to teach her, she constructed a style for herself that is based more on determination than traditional technique. As in everything else in her young life - she is just 19 - she has taken on tennis and done it her way. Her competitive fire has already brought her one tournament title - her home town event last year - and a current ranking of 38 in the world. Like most teenagers, she is not yet ready to become a leader for her generation but, still, she is regarded as either an icon or "a corrupting influence" in her home country. She is a practising Muslim but some more right-wing clerics in India have already attacked her for appearing in public in her tennis kit, clothing they deem to be highly unsuitable for a young woman. One group of fundamentalists even went as far as to issue a fatwa against her, threatening to stop her from playing unless she followed the Islamic dress code.
Fortunately for Mirza, India is a very large country and a large proportion of the 100 million Muslims living there are just pleased to see her succeed. Admittedly, these days she has bodyguards to protect her when she goes home, but they are there to fend off as many autograph hunters and journalists as religious zealots.
It is a lot for anyone to take on board, much less a teenager, but Mirza is a tough cookie. Sharp as a tack, willing and able to defend herself but also ready to laugh at the absurdities of her life, she does her best to put everything into perspective.
When her doubles partner, Liezel Huber, complained that the Bangalore crowd was too noisy as the duo were on the way to claiming the title this year, Mirza reminded her "you know what, you'd rather have them with you than against you".
"So you just have to take everything optimistically," Mirza said. She takes the same attitude to her career. She announced herself as a contender last year by winning in Hyderabad but this year the opposition has sized her up, worked out her weaknesses - her serve - and kept her quiet. Her best result came in Birmingham last week where she reached the third round. Enlisting the help of Tony Roche, Roger Federer's mentor, to sort out that serve, she is keeping her expectations to a minimum while she reconstructs her game and plans her move towards the elite level.
"There are so many people in India who believe I can be No.1 in the world by the end of the year," she said, "and if I start saying that I am going to top ten, then that will just put extra pressure on me. That's why I want to set myself realistic goals. If I stay in the top 50 this year, then that will be achieving my goal, but if stay in the top 25 then that will also be achieving my goal. But I think my main goal is never to be satisfied."
In theory, her plans for Wimbledon this year should also be low-key. But Mirza is both a fighter and a realist and at 19, she has plenty of time to develop her career. And with so many people following her, she will never be short on support. "Wherever I'm playing, whether it's at home or at Wimbledon, the amount of Indians that live in Wimbledon, it almost feels like home," she said. One billion people can't be wrong.
Source: http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/othersport.cfm?id=928082006Friday, June 23, 2006
Tough first round for Sania Mirza at Wimbledon
Sania Mirza was on Friday handed a tough first round outing after being drawn to play seventh seed Elena Dementieva of Russia in the women's singles at the Wimbledon Grand Slam beginning on Monday.The 19-year old Indian, ranked 38th in the world, is in the top half of the draw and in the second quarter which also features 2004 champion Maria Sharapova.
French Open champion Amelie Mauresmo of France is the top seed followed by Belgians Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin-Hardenne, Sharapova and Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia, defending champion Venus Williams, Dementieva and Switzerland's Patty Schnyder in that order for the top eight seedings.
Sania is paired with Holland's Michaela Krajicek in the women's doubles and the duo take on Stephanie Foretz of France and Italian Antonella Serra Zanetti in the first round.
In the men's doubles, Leander Paes and Czech Republic's Martin Damm have been seventh seeded. The pair clash with Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia and Russian Mikhail Youzhny in the opening round.
Mahesh Bhupathi has partnered with Alexander Waske of Germany to be 13th seeded and play Frederic Neimeyer of Canada and American Glenn Weiner in their opening match. (PTI)
Source: http://www.ndtv.com/sports/showsports.asp?sportname=Tennis&slug=Tough+first+round+for+Sania&id=28868
Monday, June 19, 2006
Sania Mirza crashes out of Ordina Open
NEW DELHI: Sania Mirza's preparations for the Wimbledon received a setback when she lost 6-7 (7-9), 6-2, 4-6 to Iveta Benesova of the Czech Republic in the first round of the $175,000 Ordina Open at Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands, on Sunday.The 19-year old Hyderabadi, who jumped three places to 38 in world rankings after reaching the third round of DFS Classic in Birmingham last week, was at the receiving end of some dubious overrules by the chair umpire.
Sania, leading 4-2 in the first set tie-break, served an ace, which was belatedly turned into "fault" by the chair and the point awarded to Benesova.
The chair umpire made another overrule against Sania when she hit a clear winner on the far side of the court on set point in the same tie-break.
The Indian bounced back to wrap up the second set before conceding the next set and match.
Meanwhile, Sania will be partnering Holland's Michaella Krajicek in the women's doubles of the Wimbledon Grand Slam beginning next week.
Source: http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1036473
Sania moves up to 38th in world rankings
New Delhi, June 19. (PTI): The advent of the grass court season has witnessed Sania Mirza's resurgence with the Indian teenager jumping three places to 38th in the latest WTA rankings today.
The 19-year-old, who had been afflicted by injuries and slipped to 41 after her low key performances on clay courts, registered her first third-round appearance of the year at the USD 200,000 DFS Classic in Birmingham last week.
US-based Shikha Uberoi maintained her 165th position while Delhi-based Ankita Bhambri slid 14 places to 363rd and her younger sister Sanaa came down crashing 48 places to 570th. Seasoned Rushmi Chakravarthi dropped 11 spots to 453rd.
There was some good news in the men's section with Rohan Bopanna gaining 15 spots to be placed 252nd to be the highest ranked Indian on the ATP Tour.
Bopanna came through three rounds of qualifying to earn a first round main draw date with world number one Roger Federer at Halle, Germany, last week.
The 19-year-old, who had been afflicted by injuries and slipped to 41 after her low key performances on clay courts, registered her first third-round appearance of the year at the USD 200,000 DFS Classic in Birmingham last week.
US-based Shikha Uberoi maintained her 165th position while Delhi-based Ankita Bhambri slid 14 places to 363rd and her younger sister Sanaa came down crashing 48 places to 570th. Seasoned Rushmi Chakravarthi dropped 11 spots to 453rd.
There was some good news in the men's section with Rohan Bopanna gaining 15 spots to be placed 252nd to be the highest ranked Indian on the ATP Tour.
Bopanna came through three rounds of qualifying to earn a first round main draw date with world number one Roger Federer at Halle, Germany, last week.
Friday, June 16, 2006
Sania crashes out of DFS Classic doubles
Birmingham, June 16: There seems no end to Sania Mirza's woes and after her shocking second round defeat at the hand of an American qualifier in the singles, the Indian, partnering Italian Francesca Schiavone, crashed out of the doubles event as well in the first round of the 200,000 dollar DFS Classic here.
Seeded third, the Indo-Italian duo blew off the advantage after winning the first set and went down 6-4, 2-6, 2-6 to Elena Vesnina of Russia and her Chinese Comprade-in-arms Zi Yan in one hour 44 minutes.
The third seeds lost the plot after winning the first set and nothing went right thereafter.
Vesnina and Yan staged a brilliant comeback in the second set, breaking their fancied rivals twice and averting any such setback to take the set.
In the decider, it was the same story with the third seeds throwing away three break points as their big serving rivals showed them the door.
Sania had earlier made an exit from the singles event with a 6-2, 4-6, 6-7(3) defeat inflicted by American qualifier Meilen Tu in the third round.
Source: http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=302755&sid=SPO&ssid=92
Sania fails to seize advantage; crashes out
BIRMINGHAM • Just when it seemed that Sania Mirza was back to the form which made her such a hit at last year’s Wimbledon, she blew a great chance to reach her first quarter-final since October here yesterday.
The 19-year-old from Hyderabad led by a set and 3-1, and by 5-3 in the final set before somehow contriving to lose 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) to Meilen Tu, a qualifier from the United States, in the third round of the DFS Classic.
The Indian starlet was too upset to talk to the press after her defeat, although she did release a statement in which she claimed cramps had contributed to her defeat.
“I’m really disappointed to lose today,” she said. “I thought I had the match in my hands as I started off so well but I wasn’t feeling well in the second set. I had cramps and it went wrong from there.
“All credit to Meilen, she really hung in there and deserved to win today.”
It was a significant disappointment for the first Indian woman to break the world’s top 50, because Mirza’s fitness problems had seemed behind her, and her section of the draw, without the injured third-seeded Daniela Hantuchova, had been opening up invitingly.
Mirza also appeared to have created a pattern by which she could dominate an opponent who rallied determinedly from the baseline but whose ranking has slipped outside the top 100 after a sequence of injury problems.
When Mirza backed up her flat attacks with a tight focus, she got on top, and she also appeared to have Tu rattled early in the second set, when the American glared understandably at the noisy hospitality tents.
With spectators sitting with their backs to the court and cheering loudly for England in the World Cup soccer which was being broadcast not far away, the number one court increasingly became a pit of distractions.
But it was Mirza, the first Indian woman to win a WTA Tour event, whose concentration appeared to waver most when it mattered.
After Tu had served two double faults to drop serve, and then double faulted again to go love-30 in the fifth game of the second set, it seemed that one more break of serve then would finish the match as a contest.
But Mirza could not come up with the right shot on the points which mattered, and as the match went on, her serve began to lose its pep.
Twice she served for the match in the final set, and twice her deliveries lacked conviction. Meanwhile the off-court shouts became more frequent.
By the time it came to the tie-break the momentum was with the determined Tu, who next faces France’s Marion Bartoli, who overcame Ayumi Morita, a surprising 16-year-old from Japan, 6-4, 5-7, 6-2.
Bartoli said: “I was 0-2 down in both the first two sets, but unfortunately, having pulled it back a second time I lost the second set.
“I finally found some weaknesses in her game. Maybe I have a little bit more experience. When the ball came fast (on grass) she didn’t have time to react, so I put in as many first serves as possible, especially to the forehand and I got some free points.
Bartoli also came a lot more to the net, where, as an experienced doubles player, she was more than comfortable. But despite her moments of naivety Morita looks to have a good future.
Only 16, she gained entry through a feed-up system from two special challenger events, one of them Fukuoka, and in the first WTA Tour event of her career won two matches, one against Sofia Arvidsson, the ninth seeded Hungarian.
Morita also showed herself encouragingly adaptable on the unfamiliar grass surface, although with a ranking down at 264 it may be a little while before another chance on the main tour comes along.
Source: http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=Sports_News&subsection=Tennis&month=June2006&file=Sports_News2006061681550.xml
The 19-year-old from Hyderabad led by a set and 3-1, and by 5-3 in the final set before somehow contriving to lose 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) to Meilen Tu, a qualifier from the United States, in the third round of the DFS Classic.
The Indian starlet was too upset to talk to the press after her defeat, although she did release a statement in which she claimed cramps had contributed to her defeat.
“I’m really disappointed to lose today,” she said. “I thought I had the match in my hands as I started off so well but I wasn’t feeling well in the second set. I had cramps and it went wrong from there.
“All credit to Meilen, she really hung in there and deserved to win today.”
It was a significant disappointment for the first Indian woman to break the world’s top 50, because Mirza’s fitness problems had seemed behind her, and her section of the draw, without the injured third-seeded Daniela Hantuchova, had been opening up invitingly.
Mirza also appeared to have created a pattern by which she could dominate an opponent who rallied determinedly from the baseline but whose ranking has slipped outside the top 100 after a sequence of injury problems.
When Mirza backed up her flat attacks with a tight focus, she got on top, and she also appeared to have Tu rattled early in the second set, when the American glared understandably at the noisy hospitality tents.
With spectators sitting with their backs to the court and cheering loudly for England in the World Cup soccer which was being broadcast not far away, the number one court increasingly became a pit of distractions.
But it was Mirza, the first Indian woman to win a WTA Tour event, whose concentration appeared to waver most when it mattered.
After Tu had served two double faults to drop serve, and then double faulted again to go love-30 in the fifth game of the second set, it seemed that one more break of serve then would finish the match as a contest.
But Mirza could not come up with the right shot on the points which mattered, and as the match went on, her serve began to lose its pep.
Twice she served for the match in the final set, and twice her deliveries lacked conviction. Meanwhile the off-court shouts became more frequent.
By the time it came to the tie-break the momentum was with the determined Tu, who next faces France’s Marion Bartoli, who overcame Ayumi Morita, a surprising 16-year-old from Japan, 6-4, 5-7, 6-2.
Bartoli said: “I was 0-2 down in both the first two sets, but unfortunately, having pulled it back a second time I lost the second set.
“I finally found some weaknesses in her game. Maybe I have a little bit more experience. When the ball came fast (on grass) she didn’t have time to react, so I put in as many first serves as possible, especially to the forehand and I got some free points.
Bartoli also came a lot more to the net, where, as an experienced doubles player, she was more than comfortable. But despite her moments of naivety Morita looks to have a good future.
Only 16, she gained entry through a feed-up system from two special challenger events, one of them Fukuoka, and in the first WTA Tour event of her career won two matches, one against Sofia Arvidsson, the ninth seeded Hungarian.
Morita also showed herself encouragingly adaptable on the unfamiliar grass surface, although with a ranking down at 264 it may be a little while before another chance on the main tour comes along.
Source: http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=Sports_News&subsection=Tennis&month=June2006&file=Sports_News2006061681550.xml
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Sania Mirza feels the heat in England
Birmingham, England - Sania Mirza admitted she was feeling the heat after reaching the third round of a WTA Tour event for the first time in eight months.
The Indian star has made a confident start to the grass-court season at the DFS Classic here and was due to face American qualifier Meilen Tu here on Thursday with a quarterfinal place at stake.
That objective should be well within her grasp after she overcame fitness worries, rain-sodden conditions and American Shenay Perry in her second round clash on Wednesday.
Mirza, who has been struggling with back problems this year, was in decent enough shape against the world number 72 to underline her considerable potential on grass with a 7-5, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3 victory.
The Indian put on a display of uninhibited flat hitting, which causes the ball to stay down lower on this surface, making it a potent threat, and she was unafraid to take risks on the big points.
Mirza carries a huge weight of expectation on her shoulders after becoming the first Indian to win a WTA tournament, in her home city of Hyderabad last year.
"After last year there has been a lot of pressure on me," she said. "And of course people expect me to do a lot better than I did last year.
"I am going to take it one at a time and not worry about Wimbledon, or even next week. I only want to worry about tomorrow.
"But pressure is growing by the day. People expect me to do better and it's part and parcel of my life and I have to learn how to block everything out."
In conditions which made serve more important, Mirza secured the only break of the first set at the psychologically crucial moment in the eleventh game, and when she broke to lead 2-1 and 3-1 in the second set, seemed well on her way.
But as in her first round win over Alona Bondarenko, she seemed to allow her mind to waver a little, while Perry developed more rhythm with an intelligent game in which she mixed sliced drives skillfully in with her routine topspin, and sometimes made ambushing net attacks.
Even then Perry seemed to be heading for defeat for she followed her break to 3-3 by double-faulting to go 3-4 and hurled down her racket and broke it.
She escaped a code violation warning for that, and also escaped with the set on a tiebreak after Mirza over-hit a backhand to miss her point for 5-3.
But Mirza played more steadily throughout the third set, breaking to lead 4-2 and then holding her advantage until the end.
"The court was a bit different from that in my opening round," she said. "The rain made the conditions heavier and harder to keep your focus.
"I tried to finish it too early in the second set - I was a little bit impatient. But I knew I had to hang on to my service games because she served so well, and after this I did that."
Source: http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=6&click_id=4&art_id=qw1150335904828S163
The Indian star has made a confident start to the grass-court season at the DFS Classic here and was due to face American qualifier Meilen Tu here on Thursday with a quarterfinal place at stake.
That objective should be well within her grasp after she overcame fitness worries, rain-sodden conditions and American Shenay Perry in her second round clash on Wednesday.
Mirza, who has been struggling with back problems this year, was in decent enough shape against the world number 72 to underline her considerable potential on grass with a 7-5, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3 victory.
The Indian put on a display of uninhibited flat hitting, which causes the ball to stay down lower on this surface, making it a potent threat, and she was unafraid to take risks on the big points.
Mirza carries a huge weight of expectation on her shoulders after becoming the first Indian to win a WTA tournament, in her home city of Hyderabad last year.
"After last year there has been a lot of pressure on me," she said. "And of course people expect me to do a lot better than I did last year.
"I am going to take it one at a time and not worry about Wimbledon, or even next week. I only want to worry about tomorrow.
"But pressure is growing by the day. People expect me to do better and it's part and parcel of my life and I have to learn how to block everything out."
In conditions which made serve more important, Mirza secured the only break of the first set at the psychologically crucial moment in the eleventh game, and when she broke to lead 2-1 and 3-1 in the second set, seemed well on her way.
But as in her first round win over Alona Bondarenko, she seemed to allow her mind to waver a little, while Perry developed more rhythm with an intelligent game in which she mixed sliced drives skillfully in with her routine topspin, and sometimes made ambushing net attacks.
Even then Perry seemed to be heading for defeat for she followed her break to 3-3 by double-faulting to go 3-4 and hurled down her racket and broke it.
She escaped a code violation warning for that, and also escaped with the set on a tiebreak after Mirza over-hit a backhand to miss her point for 5-3.
But Mirza played more steadily throughout the third set, breaking to lead 4-2 and then holding her advantage until the end.
"The court was a bit different from that in my opening round," she said. "The rain made the conditions heavier and harder to keep your focus.
"I tried to finish it too early in the second set - I was a little bit impatient. But I knew I had to hang on to my service games because she served so well, and after this I did that."
Source: http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=6&click_id=4&art_id=qw1150335904828S163
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Pressure increasing for India's Mirza
Birmingham - Sania Mirza has admitted the pressure on her is "growing by the day" as she adapts to life as India's first female sports star.
Ever since she won the junior girls title at Wimbledon in 2003, an achievement which saw her favourite cricketer and India icon Sachin Tendulkar gift her a sportscar, Mirza's career has been on an upward path.
In 2005 she became the first Indian woman to break into the world's Top 50, the first to win a tournament and to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam event.
All these feats led to the now 19-year-old Mirza being named Newcomer of the Year on the women's tour.
As her tennis profile rose the Muslim teenager also found herself having to cope with attacks from some clergy unhappy with the outfits, unexceptional compared to those say of Serena Williams, she was wearing on court.
And Mirza, who won her first-round match at the DFS Classic WTA grass-court event on Tuesday, with a 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 defeat of Ukraine's Alona Bondarenko, admitted life in the spotlight was far fron an easy ride.
"After what happened last year there's a lot of pressure on me, with people expecting me to do a lot better than I did," she said.
"The pressure is growing by the day. Every match, whether I win or lose, people expect me to do better than I ever can.
"That's something that as an athlete you go through day in and day out, although my upbringing is such I feel I can ignore it.
"It's something you need to learn to block out. It's hard to do all the time because there are occasions when you feel pressure. That's when family helps."
Cricket may still be India's premier sporting passion but interest in Mirza's career is increasing all the time amongst her compatriots.
But she accepted this was now a part of her life. "You cannot live in the 21st century and not read a newspaper or the Internet.
"No matter if you say you are going to block something out, you see and hear things. Every time I go back home I learn a new thing about myself that I never knew about.
"That's something you learn to deal with, and I know it's going to grow more and more each day.
"I truly believe in the past 18 months I've grown up by more than five years.
"I've seen a lot more than any normal 19-year-old may have seen, but then you have to make some sacrifices to get to the top."
Victory over Bondarenko helped Mirza relive the greatest day of her career thus far.
She beat the 21-year-old in her home city tournament in Hyderabad last year to become the first Indian woman to win a WTA Tour title.
This time Mirza again won in three sets, though there were moments, particularly when she slipped to a 1-3 deficit in the final set, when it seemed she was going to fall short.
But she regained focus and counter-attacked boldly for a satisfactory start to her grass-court buildup to Wimbledon.
"I lost a bit of concentration and she came up with some good shots," admitted Mirza, the 14th seed. "I am happy just to have won it.
"I have been practising on the grass for the last three days, so I am getting used to it."
Mirza, who was beaten in last year's Edgbaston event by eventual finalist Jelena Jankovic, said she was pleased to be back. "Grass really suits my game. It helps as I like to take risks to win matches."
Mirza faces American Shenay Perry, the world No 92, for a shot at a quarterfinal place in a section without third seed Daniela Hantuchova, who withdrew with a wrist injury on Monday.
"The next round will be difficult though," said Mirza of her encounter with Perry. "We haven't played before, but she plays a big game so I know it will be a tough match." - Sapa-AFP
Sania mirza
Source: http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=6&click_id=30&art_id=qw1150261381900S163
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Sania Mirza Made to Work for Victory
Indian star Sania Mirza was pushed all the way in her first-round clash at the dfs Classic in Edgbaston.
The 14th seed and world number 41, who captured the Newcomer of the Year award for 2005 following a stunning season on the circuit, was pushed to the limit by Alona Bondarenko of Ukraine.
After comfortably taking the opening set 6-2, breaking Bondarenko in the first and seventh games, Mirza then lost the rhythm and range she had found in the first.
After missing a break point in the opening match of the second set, the 19-year-old from Hyderabad was broken in the fourth game to give Bondarenko a 3-1 lead.
Although immediately breaking back, Mirza was then broken to love in the subsequent game, allowing Bondarenko to go on and take the set 6-3.
The first three games then went against serve at the start of the final set before Bondarenko seemed to take control by finally holding and taking a 3-1 lead.
But Mirza then rattled off the next five games, closing out to love in the final game for 6-3 after one hour and 44 minutes on centre court.
In other early matches on the second day of the tournament, American Bethanie Mattek was also forced into a three-set battle, eventually beating Julia Schruff of Germany 6-4 6-7 6-1.
China's Shuai Peng was forced to come from a set down against Nicole Pratt of Australia before prevailing 2-6 7-5 6-4.
Another Chinese girl, Meng Yuan, was unable to follow her compatriot into the last 32, losing 6-3 6-4 to Jarmila Gajdosova of Slovakia.
(reopens) Two-time defending champion Maria Sharapova suffered a frustrating day in her bid for a third crown.
Sharapova was due to play the opening second-round match with American qualifier Ahsha Rolle, only for rain to postpone the encounter until tomorrow.
Even though there had been no play possible since 1.40pm, the LTA were hoping the weather would relent in an effort to complete the remaining first round matches.
Source: http://www.sportinglife.com/tennis/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=tennis/06/06/13/TENNIS_Edgbaston.html
Sania on course to face Hantuchova
London, June 13: Seeded 14th, Sania Mirza will be hoping to regain her form when she kicks off her singles campaign in the 200,000 dollar DFS Classic at Edgebaston with a first round tie against Ukrainian Alona Bondarenko.
World number 41 Sania makes an appeareance at the WTA Tier III event here following her first round exit from the French Open.
There is a possible third round face-off between Sania and third seed Daniela Hantuchova provided there is no upsets in the way.
Sania, meanwhile, teams up with Italian Francesca Schiavone and the third seeded pair faces Russian Elena Vesnina and Zi Yan of China in the first round.
The organisers are elated with Sania joining the fray and tournament director Marjory Howie said, ''Sania was a tremendously popular player in 2005 and we are delighted to welcome her back again this year where I have no doubt that she will be received with similar enthusiasm.''
Last year, Sania was beaten by eventual finalist Jelena Jankovic who, however, lost to Maria Sharapova in the final. Sharapova has been seeded top in the event.
Source: http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?rep=2&aid=301989&sid=SPO&ssid=92
World number 41 Sania makes an appeareance at the WTA Tier III event here following her first round exit from the French Open.
There is a possible third round face-off between Sania and third seed Daniela Hantuchova provided there is no upsets in the way.
Sania, meanwhile, teams up with Italian Francesca Schiavone and the third seeded pair faces Russian Elena Vesnina and Zi Yan of China in the first round.
The organisers are elated with Sania joining the fray and tournament director Marjory Howie said, ''Sania was a tremendously popular player in 2005 and we are delighted to welcome her back again this year where I have no doubt that she will be received with similar enthusiasm.''
Last year, Sania was beaten by eventual finalist Jelena Jankovic who, however, lost to Maria Sharapova in the final. Sharapova has been seeded top in the event.
Source: http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?rep=2&aid=301989&sid=SPO&ssid=92
Monday, June 12, 2006
Sania Mirza hoping to find her feet on grass
Birmingham: Indian teenager Sania Mirza is hoping for an upturn to a frustrating season when she starts her Wimbledon build-up at Edgbaston this week. Mirza, the winner of the Wimbledon girl's doubles title three years ago, was knocked out of the French Open in the first round last month and is happy to have her feet back on grass.
The 19-year-old knows the softer, faster surface not only suits her aggressive game but may be easier on her body as she tries to recover from a series of injuries, particularly to her back.
“I had to rest before the French Open and had a month off, which is not a perfect preparation,” said Mirza, whose ranking of 40 does not flatter her considerable ability.
“But I have always liked playing on grass, even if it means quite a lot of adjusting. Wimbledon has been very special to me and playing on centre court last year was one of the most memorable days of my life. Getting down lower and hitting through the ball is part of it, but also anticipating the bad bounces and not being put off by them.
“Moving your feet faster and preparation becomes much more important. But grass suits my game. I hit pretty hard and hopefully I will do well.”
Mirza said: “That (expectation) is just something a sportsperson has to live with. I won’t play at that level all the time but I just have to work hard and improve. People who know tennis know you can't do it all the time. I have to deal with it by remaining focused, by blocking the expectations out. I'm getting better at it.”
Source: http://www.mumbaimirror.com/nmirror/mmpaper.asp?sectid=6&articleid=61220060521015612200605138156
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Sania Mirza's French Open challenge came to an end
Sania Mirza's French Open challenge came to an end on Tuesday with a straight-set loss in the women's doubles at the Roland Garros.
Sania, partnering Janette Husarova of Slovakia, went out to Eleni Daniilidou of Greece and Spaniard Anabel Medina Garrigues 6-0 6-4 in the quarterfinals.
The 19-year old Indian had earlier lost in the first round of the women's singles and mixed doubles.
Meanwhile, there was disappointment for Indian fans in the junior section as well with Sanam Singh and Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan losing their boys' doubles first round match.
Sanam and Jeevan, seeded seventh, went down guns blazing 7-6 (2) 6-4 against Croatian pair Nikola Mektic and Vedran Siljegovic.
Source: http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1714585,00070002.htm
Sania, partnering Janette Husarova of Slovakia, went out to Eleni Daniilidou of Greece and Spaniard Anabel Medina Garrigues 6-0 6-4 in the quarterfinals.
The 19-year old Indian had earlier lost in the first round of the women's singles and mixed doubles.
Meanwhile, there was disappointment for Indian fans in the junior section as well with Sanam Singh and Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan losing their boys' doubles first round match.
Sanam and Jeevan, seeded seventh, went down guns blazing 7-6 (2) 6-4 against Croatian pair Nikola Mektic and Vedran Siljegovic.
Source: http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1714585,00070002.htm
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Sania Mirza cruised into the second round of the doubles
PARIS: Putting behind the disappointment of her singles loss, Sania Mirza and Slovak Janette Husarova on Wednesday cruised into the second round of the doubles competition with a 6-1 6-3 win over the Spanish-Columbian pair of Conchita Martinez and Catalina Castano.
Sania, who crashed out of the singles competition on Tuesday following her first round loss to Russian Anastasia Myskina, and Husarova dominated the match from the start and did not give any breathing space to their opponents.
The Indo-Slovak pair raced away with the first set 6-1 as Martinez and Castano struggled to match them. The second set followed almost the same pattern except that the Spanish-Columbian pair put up some degree of resistence and managed to win three games but Sania and Husarova had taken control of the situtation by then and saw off the minor challenge thrown by their rivals to take the set 6-3 and pocket the match.
Sania and Husarova will now take on the winners of the match between third seed German-US pair of Anna-Lena Groenefeld and Meghann Shaughnessy and Michaella Krajicek (Netherlands)/Agnes Szavay (Hungary).
Despite struggling in the singles circuit, Sania has managed good results in doubles. She teamed up with Australian Alicia Molik to reach the finals of last week's Istanbul Open.
Sania, who crashed out of the singles competition on Tuesday following her first round loss to Russian Anastasia Myskina, and Husarova dominated the match from the start and did not give any breathing space to their opponents.
The Indo-Slovak pair raced away with the first set 6-1 as Martinez and Castano struggled to match them. The second set followed almost the same pattern except that the Spanish-Columbian pair put up some degree of resistence and managed to win three games but Sania and Husarova had taken control of the situtation by then and saw off the minor challenge thrown by their rivals to take the set 6-3 and pocket the match.
Sania and Husarova will now take on the winners of the match between third seed German-US pair of Anna-Lena Groenefeld and Meghann Shaughnessy and Michaella Krajicek (Netherlands)/Agnes Szavay (Hungary).
Despite struggling in the singles circuit, Sania has managed good results in doubles. She teamed up with Australian Alicia Molik to reach the finals of last week's Istanbul Open.
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Sania Mirza bows down to Anastasia Myskina
It's pretty obvious that Sania Mirza isn't fast or technically sound enough to win clay court matches against the elite player. That's what she admits, and what Anastasia Myskina said after the '04 Roland Garros champ stung her 6-4, 6-1.
Mirza was in the first set but, after that, Myskina ran her ragged. So much for Saniamania-infecting Paris.
"Clay's not her surface, that's for sure," Myskina said. "I don't think she likes to play here because it's long rallies and she likes to hit the ball so hard. She doesn't have any patience at all here. ... She plays the same game . You gets used to her game and you can read her game, especially on clay. You just have to do something and if you are able to do it, it's pretty easy."
India's Mirza had no upbringing on the surface and said she's a long way from getting used to the dirt. She says that she needs to learn to hit eight to 10 hard balls in a row instead of the two to three that might be effective on grass. She also admits that foot speed is not her strength. All that adds up to is a 19-year-old who has a long, long way to go before she becomes a Top-20 player. And, considering that she just came back after a month off due back, elbow and wrist injuries, she also might be hard pressed to do anything at all this year beyond defending her Top 50 status.
"It's hard," she said. "That's the disadvantages of growing up in a country where you don't the developed training yet. I'm finding out now about muscles that I didn't think I had. I'm working a lot harder off court to prevent these injures."
As always, Sania wasn't ready to lower expectations of herself. But she does believe that she can become a top player.
"When I was growing up, a lot of people said my family and I were wasting time spending so much time in tennis," she said. "They were wrong. I've always believed in myself and I still believe I can get there or I wouldn't be here."
At this point, Sania has nowhere near the look of a Top-10 player. Sure, she has huge forehand, a decent backhand and a solid return, but players have figured out that if you can handle rallies beyond three balls. Her defense is shabby and she can' hit winners on the dead run. Unless you are the size of Lindsay Davenport and have her textbook, accurate strokes, a player cannot push far up the ladder unless she learns how to grind out some points. That's Sania's challenge.
Myskina's challenge is getting her confidence back and is still not quite there after her well-documented, harrowing first half of 2005, when he mother was seriously ill and she lost all of her on-court focus. She's still a decent Top-15 player, but has not shown her former Top-5 level.
She believes she getting close now saying her confidence is around a '7."
Source: http://www.tennisreporters.net/blog_rg_053006.html
Monday, May 29, 2006
Sania Mirza Slips to 40 in Singles
New Delhi: Sania Mirza had contrasting luck in the WTA Tour singles and doubles rankings released on Monday.
The 19-year-old Indian slipped down two places to 40 in the singles but jumped two positions to 37 in the doubles.
The climbdown in singles rankings comes despite a first round win at Istanbul where she also reached the doubles final with Australian Alicia Molik.
The Hyderabadi lass, who returned to action after a three-week break last week, is set to play former champion and world No 12 Anatasia Myskina in the first round of the French Open Grand Slam now underway in Paris.
She bowed out of the US $200,000 event in Istanbul, Turkey in the singles second round after a 6-4, 1-6, 2-6 loss to Michaella Krajicek of The Netherlands. But she made it to the doubles finals of the event along with Alicia Molik of Australia.
Friday, May 26, 2006
Mirza upset at Istanbul Cup
India's Sania Mirza kept alive her streak of losing in her first or second match in nine events thus far in 2006, Wednesday at Istanbul failing to close out a set lead in falling to Dutchwoman Michaella Krajicek 4-6, 6-1, 6-2.
The No. 5-seeded Mirza was the lone seeded casualty on the day outside of winners (2) Anna-Lena Groenefeld (d. Gagliardi), (4) Shahar Peer (d. (Q) Radwasnka, bagel in the second), (6) Catalina Castano (d. (Q) Paszek from a set down), and (7) Mara Santangelo (d. Cibulkova).
Also into the quarterfinals were Belarus' Anastasiya Yakimova (d. Shaughnessy 6-0 in the third) and Croat Karolina Sprem (d. Washington).
Players grabbing an early flight out of Istanbul were given a scare Wednesday when a huge fire engulfed the cargo section of Ataturk International Airport, causing hundreds of panicked people to flee according to television reports.
Thousands were evacuated from nearby terminals as firefighters struggled to contain the blaze.
On court Thursday in Istanbul are Santangelo vs. Peer, Yakimova vs. Krajicek, Sprem vs. Groenefeld, and Myskina vs. Castano.
Source: http://www.tennis-x.com/story/2006-05-25/h.php
The No. 5-seeded Mirza was the lone seeded casualty on the day outside of winners (2) Anna-Lena Groenefeld (d. Gagliardi), (4) Shahar Peer (d. (Q) Radwasnka, bagel in the second), (6) Catalina Castano (d. (Q) Paszek from a set down), and (7) Mara Santangelo (d. Cibulkova).
Also into the quarterfinals were Belarus' Anastasiya Yakimova (d. Shaughnessy 6-0 in the third) and Croat Karolina Sprem (d. Washington).
Players grabbing an early flight out of Istanbul were given a scare Wednesday when a huge fire engulfed the cargo section of Ataturk International Airport, causing hundreds of panicked people to flee according to television reports.
Thousands were evacuated from nearby terminals as firefighters struggled to contain the blaze.
On court Thursday in Istanbul are Santangelo vs. Peer, Yakimova vs. Krajicek, Sprem vs. Groenefeld, and Myskina vs. Castano.
Source: http://www.tennis-x.com/story/2006-05-25/h.php
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