Dubai Open: Sania sets modest target

She might have conquered a billion Indian hearts winning her maiden WTA title in Hyderabad, but Sania Mirza has her head firmly on the shoulder.

As she gears up to compete in her first Tier 2 event on the WTA Tour in Dubai next week, Sania has set a modest target for herself: to win the first round of the $5,85,000 event.

"My aim is to win the first round. I am not looking much beyond at the moment," said the 18-year old.

"It is a very big tournament for me. The top 30 players will be competing in the event, including number one Lindsay Davenport, Venus Williams and others.

"So it is going to be tough for me, and my aim will be to win the first round," said the 98th ranked Sania, who entered the main draw with a wild card.

High profile event

The Hyderabad girl became the first Indian to win a WTA title early this month in her hometown, which came soon after she reached the third round of the Australian Open grand slam.

Whereas the Hyderabad Open was a Tier 4 event with $1,40,000 in prize money, the Dubai event is much more high profile with the cut off applied at 35.

The women's event follows the ATP Tour men's event with equal prize money.

Sania said neither the weight of expectations nor the ankle injury that she had endured during her winning run in Hyderabad had hampered her preparations.

The left ankle that she injured two weeks before the Australian Open in mid-January still bothers her, although the right one that she twisted during play in Hyderabad has completely heeled.