PM impressed by Sania storm

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said here on Thursday that he was happy with the progress of tennis in the country, especially with the "storm" that Sania Mirza was creating.

"I am delighted that in recent years interest in tennis has increased among the youth of our country," Singh said after drawing lots for the Davis Cup world group play-off tie that begins here on Friday.

He was particularly impressed with the storm unleashed by Sania, the world's 34th ranked player. "I am sure the lovers of tennis are thrilled by the storm that the young lady Sania Mirza is creating all over the country," he said.

"She is inspiring young girls to take to sport and to fight for their due place in the brave new world they must all enter."

Sania began the year as a rank outsider and got a wild card entry to the Australian Open where she became the first Indian to enter the third round of a Grand Slam.

The Hyderabad girl went one better in the US Open this month as she became the first Indian woman to reach the fourth round.

Thanks to this performance, Sania climbed to a career high of 34th in the Women's Tennis Association rankings.