Sania Mirza to play in Pilot Pen Tennis

New Haven: Hyderabadi teenager Sania Mirza has committed to play in the Pilot Pen Tennis tournament, starting here on August 31.

Elated to have the star Indian in the draw, organisers of the 600,000 dollar WTA Tier II event said charismatic Sania would be playing here for the first time, along with world No. 1 Amelie Mauresmo, defending champion Lindsay Davenport and top-20 players Elena Dementieva, Anastasia Myskina, Daniela Hantuchova and Elena Likhovtseva.

''Sania Mirza has incredible talent on the court and a unique flair off the court,'' tournament director Anne Worcester said.

''Fans have always enjoyed getting a glimpse of up-and-coming players at the Pilot Pen and Sania is definitely a budding superstar,'' he added.

Currently recovering from injuries which worsened after she took part in India's Fed Cup campaign in Korea, world number 35 Sania is expected to return to court before the French Open.