Sania happy with her US adventure

India's Sania Mirza was savouring a superb US Open debut on Sunday despite her 6-2 6-1 fourth round defeat by top seed Maria Sharapova.

Mirza had become the first Indian woman to reach the fourth round of a grand slam tournament.

''I had a great US Open. I couldn't have asked for more,'' said the 18-year-old who enjoyed boisterous support from the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd.''This is my career highlight. Getting to the fourth round in the US Open in my first year in the US Open and first year on the tour.'' Mirza, who began the year ranked 169, has climbed to number 42 and became the first Indian woman to win a WTA Tour event when she triumphed before her home crowd in Hyderabad.

Mirza said she had enjoyed the match and did not regret her tactic of trying to slug it out with the Russian.

''I'm going to win matches by hitting winners,'' she said. ''I enjoy hitting the ball as hard as I can and I enjoy taking risks. I enjoyed every minute out there.

''I don't think I was nervous, not even a little bit. I wasn't intimidated.''

Sharapova, the 18-year-old 2004 Wimbledon champion, complimented Mirza. ''She's very young and has a great future ahead of her. She has a very big game,'' she said.

Mirza, who will play next in Bali and Calcutta, said she wanted to improve her fitness and her serve.

''I can match the best when it comes to the groundstrokes,'' she said. ''This is going to give me confidence the next time I play.''