SANIA Mirza has enhanced her growing reputation as one of Asia's brightest tennis hopes with a crushing defeat of Czech teenager Lucie Safarova at the Hopman Cup today.
Mirza destroyed her more illustrious opponent in 54 minutes, galloping to a 6-2 6-2 win.
The Indian's scintillating returns were great to watch and too good for the world No.42, who will want to forget her Hopman Cup debut.
Mirza said her recent good form at the Asian Games had put her in a good frame of mind for this week, and the Australian Open to follow.
"I felt great, I was hitting the ball pretty well and I hit the right shots at the right time," Mirza said.
"My confidence levels are pretty high, and this tournament is going to help me get better for the Australian Open.
"It is a great honour personally to represent my country and to be here.
"We are going to give whatever we have and, as far as the country is concerned, of course they are very excited that we can make it."
Mirza arrived in Perth in good heart having won the singles silver medal and the mixed doubles gold at the Asian Games in Qatar recently, and she found her groundstroke rhythm immediately against Safarova.
The 21-year-old player from Hyderabad in southern India, already an icon for vast numbers of young women in her homeland, would only have increased her fan base with some brilliant return winners, which at times left Safarova groping at thin air.
The Czech won just 37 per cent of the points on her first serve - and she lost five successive service breaks.
Mirza didn't let up after powering through the first set in 23 minutes, her only blip a break when serving for the match at 5-1.
But she did not take long to atone, a forehand down the line - Mirza's 18th clean winner of the match - breaking Safarova for a sixth time to secure the win
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Sania crashes Lucie Safarova
Sania Mirza of India returns a ball to Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic during the Hopman Cup Tennis Tournament in Perth, Australia Sunday, Dec. 31, 2006.Sania Mirza won the match 6-2, 6-2.
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Sania hoping for a good New Year
Fresh from her medal winning performance at the recently-concluded Asian Games in Doha, tennis ace Sania Mirza on Wednesday said she hopes to erase the bad memories in 2006 with a good showing in the month-long tour of Australia.
"I will start on a fresh note in 2007. I want to forget the bad year in 2006 with a good show in Australia," said world no. 65 Sania, who is leaving for Perth to represent India in the mixed Hopman Cup main draw.
Asked about India's chances in the Hopman Cup, Sania said: "It's a very tough draw. We are entering the main draw as underdogs. Having the top pairs from around the world, it would be too much to expect a victory against them."
Sania, partnering Rohan Bopanna had won the Asia-Hopman Cup last month in Hyderabad and qualified for the main draw. The 20-year-old said her fitness levels had improved a lot since she started training with South African Heath Mathews.
"My fitness has improved with Heath Mathews, the South African trainer working with me for the past one and half months. I think my speed and strength are much better now," she said.
"The results showed in the Hyderabad leg of Hopman Cup and in Doha where I won a gold and two silvers. We are still working on the exercises for further improvement," Sania added.
Sania, who has more doubles victories than singles said, "That may be because of fitness problems. In singles I need to cover the entire court where as in doubles it's not like that. With the improvement in my fitness levels, I am more confident that I can do better in singles too in the coming days."
During the month long engagements in Australia, Sania will first stop at Perth for the Hopman Cup and move on to Hobert to play in Tier-4 Moorilla Hobert International tournament where she has to play in the qualifying event beginning on January 5 if she is not given a wild card entry.
Sania will be play the singles and doubles in the Australian Open beginning in Melbourne from January 15. In the doubles, she will partner Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain, who is ranked 27th in doubles.
"Interestingly, I will be fighting against Anabel in the Hopman Cup, where the Spaniard along with Tommy Robredo is seeded second and are in Group B, Czech Republic and Croatia are the other two teams," she said of her new partner.
"We have our first match against the third seeded Czech Republican pair of Lucie Safarova and Tomas Berdych on December 31, our next match will be against the Croatian pair of Sanja Ancic and Mario Ancic on January 3 and the final Group B match is against the Spanish pair of Anabel Medina Garrigues and Tommy Robredo on January 4," she said.
The Hyderabadi said she is undaunted by the tough competition at the top level in women's tennis.
"You know that pretty much before entering the arena. You have to live with it. Anybody from the top 50 can win on their day. You cannot take anyone lightly. The competition is severe since the last two years, with everyone playing with full fitness level," she said.
"My parents and friends are my first supporters. When I was in poor form and was also down mentally, they helped me to regain confidence and the mental strength. Unless you are mentally strong and healthy you cannot concentrate on the game," she said.
Summing up her career in 2006 Sania said: "There were lots of ups and downs, but in the end I was happy to regain my form and putting up a better show in the Hopman Cup and the Asian Games. I had a couple of good victories against top level players, including world no 8 Martina Hingis. I could not live up to expectations in the singles at the Sunfeast Open in Kolkata. But I think I satisfied the crowd by putting up a better performance in the doubles and winning the title in the company of South African Liezel Huber."
Sania said she has no specific ambitions for 2007, but would look to break into the top-20 of the singles ranking.
"That would ease the pressure on me. But again all our wishes may not be realised," she said.
"I will start on a fresh note in 2007. I want to forget the bad year in 2006 with a good show in Australia," said world no. 65 Sania, who is leaving for Perth to represent India in the mixed Hopman Cup main draw.
Asked about India's chances in the Hopman Cup, Sania said: "It's a very tough draw. We are entering the main draw as underdogs. Having the top pairs from around the world, it would be too much to expect a victory against them."
Sania, partnering Rohan Bopanna had won the Asia-Hopman Cup last month in Hyderabad and qualified for the main draw. The 20-year-old said her fitness levels had improved a lot since she started training with South African Heath Mathews.
"My fitness has improved with Heath Mathews, the South African trainer working with me for the past one and half months. I think my speed and strength are much better now," she said.
"The results showed in the Hyderabad leg of Hopman Cup and in Doha where I won a gold and two silvers. We are still working on the exercises for further improvement," Sania added.
Sania, who has more doubles victories than singles said, "That may be because of fitness problems. In singles I need to cover the entire court where as in doubles it's not like that. With the improvement in my fitness levels, I am more confident that I can do better in singles too in the coming days."
During the month long engagements in Australia, Sania will first stop at Perth for the Hopman Cup and move on to Hobert to play in Tier-4 Moorilla Hobert International tournament where she has to play in the qualifying event beginning on January 5 if she is not given a wild card entry.
Sania will be play the singles and doubles in the Australian Open beginning in Melbourne from January 15. In the doubles, she will partner Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain, who is ranked 27th in doubles.
"Interestingly, I will be fighting against Anabel in the Hopman Cup, where the Spaniard along with Tommy Robredo is seeded second and are in Group B, Czech Republic and Croatia are the other two teams," she said of her new partner.
"We have our first match against the third seeded Czech Republican pair of Lucie Safarova and Tomas Berdych on December 31, our next match will be against the Croatian pair of Sanja Ancic and Mario Ancic on January 3 and the final Group B match is against the Spanish pair of Anabel Medina Garrigues and Tommy Robredo on January 4," she said.
The Hyderabadi said she is undaunted by the tough competition at the top level in women's tennis.
"You know that pretty much before entering the arena. You have to live with it. Anybody from the top 50 can win on their day. You cannot take anyone lightly. The competition is severe since the last two years, with everyone playing with full fitness level," she said.
"My parents and friends are my first supporters. When I was in poor form and was also down mentally, they helped me to regain confidence and the mental strength. Unless you are mentally strong and healthy you cannot concentrate on the game," she said.
Summing up her career in 2006 Sania said: "There were lots of ups and downs, but in the end I was happy to regain my form and putting up a better show in the Hopman Cup and the Asian Games. I had a couple of good victories against top level players, including world no 8 Martina Hingis. I could not live up to expectations in the singles at the Sunfeast Open in Kolkata. But I think I satisfied the crowd by putting up a better performance in the doubles and winning the title in the company of South African Liezel Huber."
Sania said she has no specific ambitions for 2007, but would look to break into the top-20 of the singles ranking.
"That would ease the pressure on me. But again all our wishes may not be realised," she said.
Monday, December 25, 2006
Fitness is Sania's mantra now
HYDERABAD: There has been an amazing transformation in Sania Mirza's fitness, after an eight-week training stint with South African trainer Heath Mathew. "I have become a physio now, and am trying to keep her body lose and flexible," said Mathew.
The best part is that Mathew will be travelling along with Sania till the 2007 Wimbledon. "She has got the right speed and the explosive power now. The focus now is on the upper body and adding muscle strength to make her a better player," he said.
The 20-year-old Sania hopes that these developments will let her realise her new target of breaking into the top 20 in the world next year.
"I am a lot fitter now and am getting to play more balls. I am not leaving any space on the court for my opponents to exploit," she said in an exclusive chat with The Hindu, before leaving for Australia to take part in the Hopman Cup.
Sania is delighted at the way she is getting points on her backhand now, which has been her weak link. "I am putting in a lot of effort to become a better all-round player," she said with a broad smile.
Inspired by Roger Federer, Sania is keen to script a new chapter next year.
"I have had an indifferent 2006 season. But then I helped guide India to its first-ever Hopman Cup appearance and also won two silver medals and a gold in the Doha Asian Games. Definitely, I had great doubles performances but an average year as far as singles is concerned," Sania said.
India is underdog
On the Hopman Cup, Sania said that India begins as the underdog but Rohan Bopanna could be the surprise packet. "No one knows about him. But he has one of the biggest serves in the world circuit. Who knows, if we can manage to win one singles, then the doubles can be a fifty-fifty opening for us," she said.
Sania's intense desire to be an exceptional player in 2007 is reflected by trainer Mathew's comments. "I am ecstatic about the way she is going ahead of the physical conditioning schedule. She is determined to get everything right on the court now. There is no scope for any flaws," he said.
Picking tournaments
Importantly, the Mirzas (father Imran and mother Naseema) and trainer Mathew have decided to be cautious in selecting tournaments. "We intend to plan it such a way that she peaks right before the Grand Slam events. We are aware of the high risks involved in playing too many events as she can be either too tired or suffer a burn out. We are keen to avoid over playing her in this crucial phase," said the South African trainer.
Another significant decision which Sania has taken is to partner with Czech player and World No. 19 Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain. "We just hope that everything goes according to plan and she has a much better year in 2007," said an optimistic Imran Mirza while watching his daughter train with former national player Narendranath.
The best part is that Mathew will be travelling along with Sania till the 2007 Wimbledon. "She has got the right speed and the explosive power now. The focus now is on the upper body and adding muscle strength to make her a better player," he said.
The 20-year-old Sania hopes that these developments will let her realise her new target of breaking into the top 20 in the world next year.
"I am a lot fitter now and am getting to play more balls. I am not leaving any space on the court for my opponents to exploit," she said in an exclusive chat with The Hindu, before leaving for Australia to take part in the Hopman Cup.
Sania is delighted at the way she is getting points on her backhand now, which has been her weak link. "I am putting in a lot of effort to become a better all-round player," she said with a broad smile.
Inspired by Roger Federer, Sania is keen to script a new chapter next year.
"I have had an indifferent 2006 season. But then I helped guide India to its first-ever Hopman Cup appearance and also won two silver medals and a gold in the Doha Asian Games. Definitely, I had great doubles performances but an average year as far as singles is concerned," Sania said.
India is underdog
On the Hopman Cup, Sania said that India begins as the underdog but Rohan Bopanna could be the surprise packet. "No one knows about him. But he has one of the biggest serves in the world circuit. Who knows, if we can manage to win one singles, then the doubles can be a fifty-fifty opening for us," she said.
Sania's intense desire to be an exceptional player in 2007 is reflected by trainer Mathew's comments. "I am ecstatic about the way she is going ahead of the physical conditioning schedule. She is determined to get everything right on the court now. There is no scope for any flaws," he said.
Picking tournaments
Importantly, the Mirzas (father Imran and mother Naseema) and trainer Mathew have decided to be cautious in selecting tournaments. "We intend to plan it such a way that she peaks right before the Grand Slam events. We are aware of the high risks involved in playing too many events as she can be either too tired or suffer a burn out. We are keen to avoid over playing her in this crucial phase," said the South African trainer.
Another significant decision which Sania has taken is to partner with Czech player and World No. 19 Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain. "We just hope that everything goes according to plan and she has a much better year in 2007," said an optimistic Imran Mirza while watching his daughter train with former national player Narendranath.
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Sania Mirza smiles as she is felicitated
Sania Mirza smiles as she is felicitated with a traditional Turban at a function in Hyderabad, India, Sunday, Dec.24, 2006. Sania was among those felicitated during the Silver Jubilee Year Celebrations of All India Conference of Intellectuals Sunday
Friday, December 15, 2006
Smashing sania
Sania Mirza smashes the ball against China's Zheng Jie at the Women's Singles Tennis of the Asian Games in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday Dec. 13, 2006. Sania lost the match and won the silver.
Indian Flag...
India's Leander Paes, left, and Sania Mirza show their gold medals for the Asian Gams Tenis Mixed Doubles final in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday Dec. 13,
Asian Gold smiles ...
India's Leander Paes, right, and Sania Mirza show their gold medals for the Asian Games Tennis Mixed Doubles final in Doha
The great embrace
India's Leander Paes, left, and Sania Mirza embrace each other after winning the Asian Games Tennis Mixed Doubles final in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday Dec. 13, 2006
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Watching Sania
Sania Mirza watches her shot to China's Zheng Jie during their women's singles tennis final at the 15th Asian Games in Doha December 13, 2006
Sania celebrates
Sania Mirza celebrates a point during her women's singles tennis final match against China's Zheng Jie at the 15th Asian Games in Doha
Medals..
China's Zheng Jie, left, and India's Sania Mirza show their medals after the Women's Singles Tennis final at the Asian Games in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday Dec. 13, 2006
Silver Sania
Sania Mirza serves at the final of Women's Singles Tennis against China's Zheng Jie at the Asian Games in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday Dec. 13, 2006. Sania lost the match and won silver.
Monday, December 11, 2006
Sania Mirza concentrates
Sania Mirza concentrates as she makes a return against China's Li Na during the Asian Games Tennis Women's singles semifinals in Doha, Qatar, Tuesday Dec. 12, 2006. She won the math 6-2, 6-2.
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