Sharing dais with Sachin is greatest birthday gift for Sania

Hyderabad, Nov 14 : She may be next only to master blaster Sachin Tendular on the country's popularity charts, but sharing the dais with her favourite cricketer was the greatest birthday gift for tennis sensation Sania Mirza.

Sania, who turns 19 Tuesday, shared the dais with the batting great here Monday evening at a function organised by Hyderabad 10k Run Foundation.

A half marathon is scheduled here for Nov 27.

"Sharing the podium with Sachin is a great birthday gift. You can't have a better birthday gift than this," said the world number 31. It will be a quiet birthday celebration for Sania, who had a dream run early this year at Australian Open by becoming the first Indian woman to reach the third round of a Grand Slam.

She created history by winning WTA title in Hyderabad and also reached the fourth round at the US Open. Sania's birthday will be a close door affair. The family has planned a small party at their residence in the posh Jubilee Hills neighbourhood.

Sania's sister Anam said only their parents and close family members would be present at the party. "I plan to give her a surprise gift," said Sania's younger sister who has taken to shooting and won couple of medal in district-level competitions.