Sania's the pride of India

ndian teenager Sania Mirza refused to get too excited about a potential fourth-round showdown with top seed Maria Sharapova after reaching the last 32 at the US Open tennis championships.

India's most famous sportswoman reached the third round at Flushing Meadows with a 6-4 1-6 6-4 win over Maria Elena Camerin of Italy. Should the 18-year-old defeat Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli in her next match, Mirza will not only become the first Indian woman to reach the last 16 of a grand slam event, but could also face Sharapova across the net.

Mirza, however, was not about to tempt fate. "I do know who I play (in the fourth round) but I'm not looking at that yet," said Mirza, who also reached the third round at the Australian Open this year.

"I guess I'm playing the best tennis I've ever played (but) it's always one match at a time. You can't just jump ahead."

Mirza hit the headlines in January when she reached the third round of the Australian Open before losing to eventual champion Serena Williams. Born in Mumbai but raised in Hyderabad, Mirza began playing tennis aged six and quickly rose through the ranks to the No 42 world ranking.

With the billion plus population of India following her every move, Mirza is arguably the most popular player in the tournament.

"I am not like a movie star but I guess they are all excited at home," she said.

"It's nice when you have people from your own country and the country you don't belong to cheering you on, so much crowd support, especially where you don't belong. I'm 30 hours away."

Despite her huge popularity at home, Mirza has been criticised by some people for baring flesh in her tennis gear.

The 18-year-old said she was no different to anyone else. "No Muslim is perfect and no human being is perfect," she said.

"I guess I'm not dressing the way Islam states, but I guess we all make mistakes and that's why Islam has forgiveness." - Reuters