On song, Sania bundles out US Open champion

DUBAI, MARCH 1: Battling an ankle injury but cheered on by an Indian-dominated crowd, Sania Mirza scripted a superb comeback — winning 12 of the last 14 games — to beat reigning US Open champion and fourth seed Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-4, 6-2 at the Dubai WTA Open here today. It’s the first time an Indian woman tennis player has beaten a reigning Grand Slam winner. The win — which takes her into the quarter-finals — could see her crack the Top 75 when the new rankings are released next week. ‘‘To be honest, I never expected to win,” beamed the Indian teenager as she threw away her racquet and covered her face with unbelieving glee. ‘‘I put in a lot of hard work but, once again, it was the crowd that inspired me and pushed me to give of my best.’’ ‘‘This is probably among the best matches I have ever played. I was nervous playing against Serena (Williams) during the Australian Open. But today I was mentally prepared to play against a top player,” she said. ‘‘I was not overawed, but I did come mentally prepared to do my best.’’ ‘‘The crowd was so much for her, but that was okay as I was not thinking about it’’, Kuznetsova said. ‘‘I just couldn’t get myself into the game.’’ In New Delhi, her mentor Mahesh Bhupathi was audibly upbeat. ‘‘I hope the world who talked of Sania’s Hyderabad Open victory as a fluke will now shut up. I’ve always said that she’s champion material.’’ Bhupathi, in town for the Davis Cup, said: ‘‘She’s proved that the Hyderabad Open was not just a one-off, that she won because of a weak field. And all those said it was ‘rigged’ to Sania’s advantage can take notice of her feat today.’’ ‘‘She’s the one who is going to keep doing well and also keep the Indian flag flying high.’’