When I saw Sania play (The Rediff Special/Ishan Chhabra)

It was a humid day in Flushing, Queens. I was with my uncle and our friends. We had long anticipated the great matches that were yet to come in this year's opening day of the US Open Tennis tournament.

I took a quick glance at the day's schedule finding only a few names that I recognised. Big superstars like Andre Agassi, the Williams sisters and Maria Sharapova immediately caught my attention.

There was only one other name on the list whom not many would have recognised, but I happened to. Playing second at the Grandstand, seeded 50th (which is too high of a seed to be well recognised) was Sania Mirza from India.

I couldn't believe that one of India's young athletes Sania Mirza was taking part in such an honoured tournament, and has the potential of making a name around the world with the possibility of facing some of the greatest athletes.

There was also a thought in my mind. I could go and cheer someone who represents my own country and will make everyone proud against the Goliaths of tennis. I quickly asked my uncle and our friends if we could see Sania Mirza and Mashona Washington go face to face at the Grandstand.

They gave me a slight look but I knew why. They must have thought why on earth does Ishan want to see Sania Mirza or Mashona Washington?

We finished seeing a great morning match at the Grandstand and decided to get some lunch. We gobbled down our delicious sandwiches and chips along with a tall Mountain Dew. I was so excited and it seemed as if we had waited so long even though it was only a few hours. Finally we were off to see Sania Mirza play.

We arrived slightly late but I was immediately struck by the audience. There was a mixed crowd, but the majority of fans were Indians. You could hear the cheering and shouting, "Come on Sania."

I was very surprised that the fans weren't so patriotic like at cricket matches where they'd paint there faces and even bodies or wave around Indian flags and really taunt the opponent. I guess tennis is quieter game. There was some jeering towards Mashona Washington, but for the most part the audience was very composed.Sania Mirza also looked very composed in her short shorts, white shirt, white hat, and not to mention her 5-inch or so long earrings. She took two of three sets from Mashona, grabbing the first and last. She also was notably strong with her serves, somewhere between 90-100 mph.

There was one little incident where she got so frustrated in the third set that she just flung her racket against the wall. Mashona Washington made up for that by howling like an ancient flying dinosaur after her serve was broken. Sania finished in glory waiving to the crowd and giving a big warm smile.

After the match she stayed back and gave autographs to the fans. While Mashona Washington on the other hand stormed out of the Grandstand in fury. Fans were so cheerful they were pumping their fists in joy and clapped for her endlessly.

Sania was very humble. She quietly packed her bags gave her autographs and left. I too managed to get an autograph on my schedule and left in high spirits. I was hoping to see if she would have the time to answer a few questions, but of course she was mobbed by the Indian press afterwards and looked a little annoyed.

I saw her a little later in the day, walking right near the men's bathroom. She was still being mobbed, and I could understand how she felt.

Even as she goes on in her career and will most probably make a name for herself, I will never forget the day my uncle and I went to see Sania Mirza defeat Mashona Washington.