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.
Friday, September 29, 2006
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."
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