Sania serves an ace in TV tete-e-tete

YOUNG GUN: She is the youngest to get the Padam Shree.

Just back from an outing in the first Grand Slam event of the year in the Australian Open, India's tennis prodigy Sania Mirza had a surprise waiting for her at home - a Padma Shree. And she becomes the youngest Indian ever to win this honour. Sania reacts to that big news and talks about tennis and lot more in an exclusive interview with CNN-IBN Sports Editor Gaurav Kalra.

Gaurav Kalra: Sania Mirza, a very warm welcome to CNN-IBN. Should I be calling you Padma Shree Sania Mirza?

Sania: Thank you. No, I think Sania Mirza will do for now.

Gaurav: Sania, just tell me a little bit about the Padma Shree. First of all, you are the youngest recipient of this award in the history of this award and that must make you feel special?

Sania: Yes, definitely. I think whatever age you get this award, it's one of the biggest honour one can receive. I am totally honoured and I am lucky enough to be getting this in so early in my life and so early in my career. I would like to thank the government for giving me this award.

Gaurav: What an exceptional year it has been! It started in Australia in a year or so back and since then you have won matches against Top Ten players. You had a remarkable run and now a recognition at the age of 19 from the Government of India. This must be very special?

Sania: Of course, it's very special. Like I said I think it's every person's dream to receive a Padma Shree or Padma Bhushan award from the Government of India. I think I am lucky enough. Actually, I was a bit surprised that I did get it so early. I am very pleasantly surprised. Of course, I think I am very lucky.

Gaurav: Sania, let me take you back to Australia. That second round match in particular against Michella Krajicek. That was a player ranked below you in the WTA ranking. She is only 16 years old. Were you a little bit disappointed at the way the results turned out?

Sania: Well, every match you lose you are disappointed. But first of all, the ranking is just a number and it really does not matter if you are 45 in the world and I am 32. It does not mean that you cannot lose to anyone below you. Secondly, I think I have not had lot of match play in the last few months and I just had a bad day. It was one of those days when not a lot of things were going your way and the other player is coming back from a great tournament. It was her seventh or eighth consecutive win. She was playing well. She had just won a tournament just before coming in. So, I guess I could have done better, but that's just the way it is. It was just a bad day.

Gaurav:Sania, I was just looking at some statistics before we went on and one thing that struck me was that in the two matches that you played in Australia in the singles, you hit 33 winners but there were about 65 unforced errors. I know you are an aggressive, attacking player. But is that an aspect of your game that you think you need to look at ?

Sania: Well, I have been working on that. As I said when it's you off day, you want to make a lot of less unforced errors. That's something I am working on. But it's not going to happen in two-three-four months. It's going to take a while for me to reduce the errors. But I think my forte is aggressiveness. And if I take out the aggression from my game, then I will be just any other ordinary player.

Gaurav: Let's talk a little bit about the injury concern, Sania. Just before you went to Australia, you had a bit of a warm-up tournament. But before that there was a slight injury concern. We also saw you strapped a little bit in Australia. Are you absolutely fine now?

Sania: Well, I don't think any athlete is absolutely ever fine. There are always some niggling pain, some injuries. I think injury is just a part of every sportsman's life and it's a part of sports. There is not much you can do except for protecting yourself and getting stronger. I have had my fair share of injury. And my knee, it was a tendonitis, which was coming back. I had it earlier also.

This is just a recurring injury and there is not much you can do. And that happens every on and off. On a bigger scale, I would give myself 9 out of 10. But if you start picking up what pain I get when I wake up every morning, you will find more injuries.

Gaurav: Well. Pain is a part of sportsman's life. Let me ask you little bit how disappointing were the losses in the doubles and mixed doubles. Is it like every time you drop out of singles, your motivation drops off or is it just another case of two matches not going so well.

Sania: No, not at all. In doubles and mixed doubles I give as much importance as I give to singles. Obviously, singles is my priority. But if I lose on singles then I am going to give my best in doubles and mixed doubles and do well. But unfortunately, we didn't have the best draws in doubles. We played Svetlana Kuznetsova and Amelie Mauresmo in the first round. It's tough when you are playing with a player for the first time and we got one of the toughest draws. In the mixed, I think we played a decent match, it was just a break here and there. On the whole, I think I played decent tennis. I could have done better, but it's just the beginning of the year.

Gaurav: You did say it's the beginning of the year. Let's look ahead of the year. Now, it's often said that on the tennis circuit, the second year is sometimes tougher than the first year because you are defending points as you go into the year. Also, players seem to have worked you out a little bit. Do you take that view as well? Is the second year going to be tough than the first year?

Sania: Well, I think every day is tough than the other. Obviously, it's going to be tougher. But like you pointed out, more than defending the points, I think you can't just think about defending points. Because than you will just be thinking about that. You're just going to go out there and play your game. As for players knowing your game, you have to keep improving every couple of months and you have to keep learning. Keep playing and keep practicing. Of course, every year gets tougher and tougher.

Gaurav: You know Sania, I am sure you already know this. But everyone in India is an expert on your game. But let me try to wear the Devil's cap for a second. That first serve you have been asked a little bit about and also the tendency to reduce unforced errors as we referred to earlier. But improving the first serve, is it what you are looking forward to?

Sania: I really don't think I need to keep telling the whole world what I am working on. Me and my team know what I am working on. As far as opinion and all the experts are concerned, I think they all have their right to express their opinion. I am just going to do and try my best and get as good as I can. That's the game.

Gaurav: Let's talk about the plan for the next few months. Just take us through what you are doing in the next two or three months.

Sania: I am going to Paris and of course the clay court season kind of starting. And I will play in Bangalore before that. We play in Dubai, Doha. After that probably I will head to the States. As of now, that's the plan. All depends on the injuries, all depends on how my body feels.

Gaurav: You did win in Hyderabad last year. Now the Bangalore tournament will be a very big one for you playing in front of home crowd. That is something you must be looking forward to.

Sania: Oh, yeah. I always look forward to playing in front of India, play in front of my fans. As far as playing in Bangalore, just because I won in Hyderabad, it doesn't mean anything. I am ready to come out here and do as good as I can. Obviously, there is going to be pressures and expectations and I am looking forward to it.

Gaurav: Let me get you a little bit on the spot Sania. Mauresmo winning or will it be Justine Henen (in the Australian Open women's singles final) and will you be watching that one.

Sania: Both of them are going to play great tennis. Especially I think Henen has been really solid. She won Sydney. So, I think it will be a great match to watch, but very hard to pick who is going to win.

Gaurav: One final question. I read in an interview that you are a cricket fan. You will be here for the next three-four days. Are you going to switch on to India-Pakistan Test match and what are your expectations?

Sania: I don't think there is a Test only on the 29th. So, I did watch a little bit couple of days ago. I am more of a One-Day fan than Test matches. But I still catch on the first and the last day a little bit.

Gaurav: Well, the One-Day series will begin on the 6th of February and I am sure you will catch it in some hotel room in some part of the world. Thank you very much and big congratulations again for winning that Padma Shree.

Sania: Thank you.

Sania slips to 34th in rankings

Sania Mirza slipped two places to be 34th in the latest WTA Tour rankings announced today after the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament.
Sania, who was seeded 32nd in the season's first Grand Slam Down Under, lost in the second round to Michaela Krajicek of the Netherlands.

The loss, combined with her first round exit in a WTA event in Sydney the preceding week, saw the 19-year old from Hyderabad go down in the rating list.

Sania, who took lessons from elite coach Tony Roche before the start of the season, warmed up along side top players in an exibition event at Hong Kong.

Sania, who played with tendinitis during the Australian Open, is next scheduled to play in Paris in a USD 600,000 WTA tour event next week.

Sania youngest Padmashree winner

Tennis sensation Sania Mirza today became the youngest achiever to be honoured with the Padmashree for her emergence in the international tennis arena.

At 19, Sania was the youngest to join 106 distinguished Padmashree awardees selected for Republic Day honours. She is one of the five from Andhra Pradesh to be decorated with one of the highest civilian awards along with actor Chiranjeevi, Shahnaz Hussain (beautician), Seyed Ehtesham Hasnain (VC of Hyderabad University) and Harsha Kumar Gupta (former NGRI director).

Besides Sania, the two other sportspersons to figure among the awardees this year were: former long distance runner Bahadur Singh from Punjab and former National Badminton champion Madhumita Bisht from Railway (Delhi)

Sania youngest Padmashree winner

Tennis sensation Sania Mirza today became the youngest achiever to be honoured with the Padmashree for her emergence in the international tennis arena.

At 19, Sania was the youngest to join 106 distinguished Padmashree awardees selected for Republic Day honours. She is one of the five from Andhra Pradesh to be decorated with one of the highest civilian awards along with actor Chiranjeevi, Shahnaz Hussain (beautician), Seyed Ehtesham Hasnain (VC of Hyderabad University) and Harsha Kumar Gupta (former NGRI director).

Besides Sania, the two other sportspersons to figure among the awardees this year were: former long distance runner Bahadur Singh from Punjab and former National Badminton champion Madhumita Bisht from Railway (Delhi)

It's another fabulous New Year gift: Sania

HYDERABAD: Sania Mirza, the tennis sensation from Hyderabad is yeat again in the limelight.

She has become the youngest recipient of the Padma Sri award from the State after an official announcement was made on Wednesday night.

Sania and her father Imran Mirza were simply delighted when the news was broken to them by The Hindu . "It's a great honour and honestly I never expected it. I feel proud about this and once again reiterate that I will do my best to live up to the huge expectations," she said.

The World No.32 believes this award will only spur her to achieve greater deeds in the highly competitive international circuit. "This is yet another fabulous New Year gift for me and I thank all my fans for their affection and warmth which should help me in my long journey," she said.

The Mirzas, obviously the most sought-after sporting family in Indian circuit after probably Sachin Tendulkar, are also equally thrilled. "Honestly, we never thought of this prestigious award. No doubt, it has its own aura and also enhances the responsibility on Sania," says Imran.

Exclusive club

Sania now joins the exclusive club of sportspersons from the State who got the award, which includes Mohd. Ghouse (tennis), Mohd. Azharuddin, Karnam Malleswari, Mukesh Kumar and Pullela Gopi Chand.

Sania Mirza returns to Dubai

DUBAI — Indian tennis sensation Sania Mirza will return to the Dubai Tennis Championships, organisers Dubai Duty Free announced yesterday.

Given a wild card for the 2005 Dubai Women’s Open, Mirza returns to Dubai next month as a true superstar of the game and a genuine contender to take the title.

She not only attracted sell out crowds in Dubai last year, the teenager backed up the expectations by claiming a stunning first round victory over the reigning US Open champion, Svetlana Kuznetsova.

That was just another step to becoming an icon for countless millions of sports-loving Indians, and Sania’s success in Dubai as well as winning her first Sony Ericsson WTA Tour title in her home city of Hyderabad led to her meeting presidents and prime ministers, appearing on the cover of Time magazine and being featured on CNN’s Talk Asia.

“We are absolutely delighted to be welcoming Sania back to Dubai and I’m sure there are many people who will be looking forward to watching this young star in action again,” said Colm McLoughlin, managing director of event owners and organisers Dubai Duty Free.

“The atmosphere in the Dubai Tennis Stadium when Sania was playing last year was unforgettable and she will no doubt draw on that support once again to help her against some of the top players in the world.”

Mirza is sure to cause another frenzy when she returns to compete in the Dubai Tennis Championships 2006. Taking place at the Dubai Tennis Centre from February 20, the $1,000,000 event also features the greatest line-up of stars in the history of the tournament. Mirza will compete against defending champion and world number one Lindsay Davenport, 2004 Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova, two-time former champion Justine Henin-Hardenne, Serena and Venus Williams and 2004 US Open winner Svetlana Kuznetsova.

Mirza’s talent attracted the interest of Australian legend Tony Roche, who now coaches Roger Federer. In fact, Sania spent time at the Roche residence in December, preparing for the Australian Open in the company of Federer himself. “It was like two hours for me, two hours with Roger, then I was back after two hours. He was actually giving personal attention to both of us,” said Mirza. “We worked on my serve, changed my action a little bit, worked a lot on my volleys, getting some variation in my game.”

Sania has managed to take all the adulation she has received in her stride, although it has sometimes been difficult with constant demands on her time.

“It gets hard sometimes,” she admits, “You know, I'm there, I'm playing tennis. That's what I'm here for. That's what I want to do the best I can for however long I can. I think you need to just go out there and play your game.

“Expectations are not in my control. That's something I have to live with.

“It's amazing, though, the amount of people that are so proud of you when you go back home, the amount of people that come up to you and say, ‘I'm proud to be Indian, you're doing a great job for India.’ It's just amazing that you can bring so many smiles to so many faces.”

Sania will certainly be bringing smiles to her thousands of fans in Dubai when she competes next month against many of the best players in the world.

The Dubai Tennis Championships is owned and organised by Dubai Duty Free and takes place under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

The Dubai Tennis Championships has won a total of 12 ATP/WTA awards. These include the Tournament of the Year award from the WTA in 2001 following the inaugural Dubai Duty Free Women's Open, and the equivalent award from the ATP in 1998, 2003 and 2004 for the Dubai Duty Free Men's Open.

Sania-Huss loses in first round of mixed doubles

Melbourne: Sania Mirza's campaign in the Australian Open came to a crashing end after the Indian ace, already out of contention in the singles and doubles, made an early exit from the mixed doubles championship losing in straight sets today.

Sania and her partner Australian Stephen Huss were beaten 6-3 6-3 by the third seed US-Russian pair of Bob Bryan and Vera Zvonareva.

The third seeded pair took little over one hour for their facile 6-3 6-3 win.

Playing for the first time together, the lack of coordination between the Indo-Australian pair was quite evident as they were broken twice in the first set. It took the experienced third seed pair 32 minutes to win the set.

The second set followed the same pattern as Bryan-Zvonareva broke their rivals once on their way to clinch the set and the match.

The US-Russian pair hit 12 winners in all, compared to just one by the Sania-Huss pair and didn't give any chance to the unseeded pair to comeback into the match.

The loss ends the disasterous campaign of Sania Mirza in the first grand slam of the year having been already ousted from the singles competition where she lost to Michala Krajicek in the second round.

Later the Hyderabadi teen went down in the first round of the doubles competition as well.

Padmashri for Sania

Tennis star Sania Mirza may have had to pack her bags early at the Australian Open this year, but she has some good news waiting for her at home. The government has decided to award her the Padma Shri. That makes her one of the youngest recipients of the prestigious award.

Highly-placed government sources said the Padma awards committee was of the view that Sania had a strong case for the award as she had been a tremendous inspiration both for the youth and women in India.

Tough mixed doubles draw for Sania

Melbourne: Leander Paes and his French team mate Nathalie Dechy will have to create the biggest upset in mixed double to upstage the top seeds while Sania Mirza and her Australian team mate Stephen Huss were also handed a tough draw in the Australian Open.

The other Indian in the fray, Mahesh Bhupathi -- who teams up with comeback star Martina Hingis -- has a relatively easier draw which pits the Indo-Swiss pair against Yeu-Tzuoo Wang (Taipei) and Na Li (China).

The Paes-Dechy duo finds themselves with an unenviable task of pulling the rug from under the feet of top seeds Kevin Kevin Ullyett (South Africa) and Cara Black (Zimbabwe) and it looks hardly better for Sania.

Already out of the singles and doubles events, Sania and Huss will have to come up with something extra-ordinary to topple the third seeded US-Russian pair of Bob Bryan and Vera Zvonareva.

Sania bows out of doubles event too

As if her exit from the singles was not enough, Indian ace Sania Mirza crashed out of the doubles event as well after she and her American partner Corina Morariu was thrashed 6-2, 6-1 by 14th seeds Svetlana Kuznetsova (Russia) and Amelie Mauresmo (France) in the Australian Open here today.

Pitted against the seeded pairs, Sania and Morariu had no clue at all and the Indo-American pair was struggling right from the beginning in court no 18. Kuznetsova, who had lost to Sania in Dubai Open last year, and Mauresmo were in command and it took them 26 minutes to bag the first set dropping just two games.

The second set was clearly a one-sided show as Kuznetsova and Mauresmo broke their rivals twice and raced to a 5-0 lead before the Sania-Corina pair tried to salvage some honour by holding their serve to make it 5-1.

It was, however, an effort to delay the inevitable and the Kuznetsova-Mauresmo duo held their serve to win the match in about an hour and show the door to their rivals.

Lack of rhythm cost me the match: Sania

Tennis ace Sania Mirza, who crashed out of the Australian Open after losing to Michaella Krajicek in the second round, on Thursday attributed her defeat to a "lack of rhythm" throughout the match.

"I really didn't have the rhythm throughout the match, I saw it coming... I knew I was going to make some errors here and there when it really mattered and that's what happened," she said.

Sania recovered from a sluggish start to put up a tougher challenge in the later part of the match but committed far too many unforced errors to go down to her 17-year old Dutch opponent 6-3, 7-5.

"I think the match was pretty winnable, but that is how it is," said Mirza.

"It is hard when you are not playing your best tennis and the other girl's coming from winning a tournament."

The 19-year-old Indian, seeded 32 in the Australian Open, was nervous in the first set when she was broken four times.

Sania, playing with a taped left knee, picked up momentum in the second set when she bounced back from a break and saved two match points in the tenth game.

"The bottom line is I did not play up to my standard and did not play well. Of course I'd love to have done better. But it's the beginning of the year and I just have to put it behind me."

Michaella, world number 43 and the 2004 US Open and world junior champion, broke Sania in the very first game of the match, pouncing on her weak second serves.

Michaella, with a 5-0 win-loss record this season, was 4-2 up in the second set up but allowed Sania to come back into the match as she dropped serve in the seventh game.

The Indian, however, failed to convert two more breakpoints that came her way. A doublefault saw Sania face a double matchpoint situation in the twelfth game, and another misfiring forehand sealed her fate.

Sania, who shot to fame after reaching the third round here as a wild card entry last year, said that she enjoyed the crowd cheering for both the players.

"Obviously they were a bit noisy today but it's fun playing that atmosphere when you have people for you and against you, it just makes it more exciting," she said.

Sania Mirza of India walks a court in a match against Michaella

Sania Mirza of India walks a court in a match against Michaella Krajicek of the Netherlands during the Australian Open Tennis Tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan 19, 2006. Krajcek won the match 6-3, 7-5.

Sania Mirza reacts after losing in the second round of the Australian Open

Sania Mirza reacts after losing in the second round of the Australian Open at Melbourne.

Sania Mirza of India reacts during a match against Michaella Krajicek

Sania Mirza of India reacts during a match against Michaella Krajicek of the Netherlands at the Australian Open Tennis Tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan 19, 2006. Krajcek won the match 6-3, 7-5.

Sania Mirza of India serves a shot against Michaella Krajicek of the Netherlands

Sania Mirza of India serves a shot against Michaella Krajicek of the Netherlands during the Australian Open Tennis Tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan 19, 2006. Krajcek won the match 6-3, 7-5.

Sania Mirza of India returns a shot against Michaella Krajicek of the Netherlands

Sania Mirza of India returns a shot against Michaella Krajicek of the Netherlands during the Australian Open Tennis Tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan 19, 2006. Krajcek won the match 6-3, 7-5.

Sania Mirza hits a forehand

Sania Mirza of India hits a forehand return against Michaella Krajicek of the Netherlands during the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 19, 2006

Sania Mirza of India reacts during her match against Michaella Krajicek

Sania Mirza of India reacts during her match against Michaella Krajicek of the Netherlands at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 19, 2006

Sania Mirza of India hits a forehand return against Michaella

Sania Mirza of India hits a forehand return against Michaella Krajicek of the Netherlands during the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 19, 2006

Sania crashes out of Australian Open

Sania Mirza of India reacts during her match against Michaella Krajicek of the Netherlands at the Australian Open

Sania Mirza crashed out of the Australian Open after a straight sets loss to Michaella Krajicek of the Netherlands in the women's singles second round today.

Sania recovered from a sluggish start to put up a tougher challenge in the latter part of the match but committed far too many unforced errors to go down to her 17-year old Dutch opponent 6-3, 7-5.

The 19-year-old Indian, ranked 32 in the world, was nervous in the first set when she was broken four times.

She picked up some momentum in the second set when she bounced back from a break and saved two matchpoints in the tenth game.

The Hyderabadi girl struggled to get the timing in her shots throughout and even her ever-reliable weapon of forehand kept misfiring today.

As it were, she hit a forehand long to concede the match after an hour and 21 minutes committing five double-faults and 35 unforced errors along the way.

Michaella, world number 43 and the 2004 US Open and world junior champion, broke Sania in the very first game of the match, pouncing on her too weak second serves.

The Dutch teenager, who had won two Tour titles in the last four months, dropped serve in the next game but got back the lead, a forehand setting up a volley winner for breakpoint and Sania obliging with a wide forehand.

After going down 2-5 with another break of serve, Sania showed signs of recovery when a drop shot followed by a return winner gave her the break back. But the Indian hit an easy putaway into the net to face two breakpoints and Michaella hit a forehand for break and set.

Sania, playing with a taped left knee, showed more resilience as the match progressed but wasted a breakpoint in the fifth game of the second set when a simple volley went long.

In fact, that game captured the pattern of Sania's game today, as she worked hard to get into a winning position in every point only to squander them with unforced errors.

Michaella, with a 5-0 win-loss record this season, then choked. From being 4-2 up, she allowed Sania to come back into the match as she dropped serve in the seventh game.

The Indian, however, failed to convert two more breakpoints that came her way. A doublefault saw Sania face a double matchpoint situation in the twelfth game, and another misfiring forehand sealed her fate.

Sania pairs with Corina Morariu, gets tough doubles draw

Melbourne: Sania Mirza and her comrade-in-arms Corina Morariu were handed a tough draw in women's doubles event, which pits the Indo-American pair against 14th seeds Svetlana Kuznetsova (Russia) and Amelie Mauresmo (France) in the first round of the women's doubles event at the Australian Open.

It promises to be an interesting personal battle between Sania and Kuznetsova with the Russian surely eager to avenge her defeat at the hands of the Indian teen in the singles at the Dubai Open last year.

Morariu is placed as high as 11th in the WTA Double Rankings, while the Sania is placed 109th.

On the other hand, Kuznetsova is seventh in the Doubles Rankings while Mauresmo occupies the 58th place.

Meanwhile, if Sania manages to go past Michaella Krajicek in the second round match of the singles event, the Hyderabadi girl is likely to meet third seed Mauresmo provided the Frenchwoman manages to tame compatriot Emilie Loit.

Sania Mirrza of India reacts to winning a point

Sania Mirrza of India reacts to winning a point Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2006, during her match against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus at the Australian Open Tennis in Melbourne, Australia. Mirza defeated Azarenka 7-6,6-2, to advance to the next round of play.

Sania Mirrza of India reacts to winning a point Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2006, during her match against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus at the Australian Open Tennis in Melbourne, Australia. Mirza defeated Azarenka 7-6,6-2, to advance to the next round of play.

Sania Mirrza of India chases a shot Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2006, during her match against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus at the Australian Open Tennis in Melbourne, Australia. Mirza defeated Azarenka 7-6, 6-2, to advance to the next round of play.

Sania Mirrza of India returns a shot Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2006 during her match against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus at the Australian Open Tennis in Melbourne, Australia. Mirza defeated Azarenka 7-6,6-2, to advance to the next round of play.

Black Beauty: Sania Mirza

India's Sania Mirza during her victory in the first round of the Australian Open at Melbourne.

Sania Mirza of India hits a return against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus at the Australian Open

Sania Mirza of India hits a return against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 17, 2006

Sania Mirza reacts after defeating Victoria Azarenka

Sania Mirza of India reacts after defeating Victoria Azarenka of Belarus at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 17, 2006

Sania Mirza hits a return against Victoria Azarenka

Sania Mirza of India hits a return against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 17, 2006

Aus Open: Sania advances to Round 2

Sania Mirza of India signs autographs after defeating Victoria Azarenka of Belarus at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 17, 2006

Sania Mirza beat Victoria Azareka of Belarus in the first round of the Australian Open in Melbourne on Tuesday.

Kicking off her campaign in style, Sania defeated the 156th ranked qualifier 7-6 (8-6), 6-2 in the encounter at Show Court no 2 of Melbourne Park.

With this win, the 32-seeded has advanced to the second round of the first Grand Slam of the year.

She will now take on the winner of the first round match between Dutch Michaella Krajicek and Puerto Rican Kristina Brandi.

Sania Mirza of India practices for the Australian Open tennis tournament, one-day ahead of the opening round, in Melbourne on January 15, 2006 

Sania Mirza of India reacts during a training session at Melbourne Park January 15, 2006. Mirza is training in preparation for the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year, starting January 16. 

Sania Mirza of India hits a forehand during a training session at Melbourne Park January 15, 2006. Mirza is training in preparation for the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year, starting January 16. 

Mirza's immediate goals remain modest

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) - What a difference a year makes.

Sania Mirza arrived at the 2005 Australian Open as a virtual unknown, ranked 166th and needing a wild-card entry. This time, the 19-year-old Indian is seeded 32nd following a year in which she had to keep raising her goals because she kept surpassing them, landed lucrative endorsement contracts and had to deal with controversy.

"It's been a phenomenal year. To be honest, I did surprise myself to some extent," Mirza said Sunday, a day before the season-opening Grand Slam tournament starts. "I really didn't think it was going to happen so fast."

Mirza, a former Wimbledon junior doubles champion who turned professional in 2003, became the first Indian woman to reach the third round of a Grand Slam event a year ago, losing here to eventual champion Serena Williams. She went on to better that by making the fourth round of the U.S. Open, and later won a tournament in her hometown of Hyderabad.

"It's amazing ... the amount of people that are so proud of you when you go back home, the amount of people that come up to you and say, 'I'm proud to be Indian, you're doing a great job for India,"' Mirza said. "It's just amazing that you can bring so many smiles to so many faces.

"It all started here," she added. "It's always going to be very special for me to come back."

Despite her rapid rise, increasing confidence and dreams of winning a Grand Slam title someday, Mirza said her immediate goal remains modest, to win her first-round match Tuesday against qualifier Victoria Azarenka.

"Obviously people are going to expect a lot more from me," she said. "Expectations just come with the package. "Sometimes you need to shut out some things and go on court and play your 100 percent."

While she has become a hero and role model to many, which Mirza said motivates her, she also has had to deal with the negative side of fame.

As a Muslim - her parents were on the annual hajj pilgrimage to Mecca during last year's Australian Open - Mirza generated criticism at home by wearing the short tennis skirts that are standard attire on the women's tour.

"I think everything's got its pros and everything's got its cons," Mirza shrugged. "The way you take wins, you need to take the losses. The way you take all the positive things, you need to take all the negative things."

She's been working on improving her game, recently spending four weeks in Sydney with Tony Roche, who coaches the top-ranked man, Roger Federer.

"We kind of worked on my serve, changed my action a little bit, worked a lot on my volleys, getting some variation in my game," she said.

Mirza started playing tennis as a 6-year-old after initially being unable to get any coaching because she was too small. But her parents saw that she had talent and kept backing her. She recalls watching on TV as Steffi Graf played at Wimbledon.

"My dad said, 'Can you imagine our daughter playing there one day?' My mom said, 'I would give my life if she could play there,' Mirza said.

"When I walked on the Wimbledon Center Court, I think that was the most special moment for me because it was like a dream come true for my parents."

Sania Mirza dreams of winning a Grand Slam

Indian tennis sensation Sania Mirza oozes confidence and is even daring to dream that she will one day win a Grand Slam, motivated by being Asia's great new hope.

"I'm no longer a rookie," the 19-year old said, making clear that she is lapping up the attention, but she still can't quite believe she is fielding questions about the possibility that she can one day win a Grand Slam.

"Winning a Grand Slam is definitely a dream. It is what we all play for but it is hard to say if I'm going to win one or when," she said.

Former Indian great Vijay Amritraj has already tipped her as a future Grand Slam champion, saying she "is on her way", praising her attitude and work ethic.

But Mirza knows that to have a chance of realising her dream, she must avoid the injuries that are increasingly striking down players.

"There are a lot of things that count in winning a Grand Slam, or even for that matter staying at the position where I am.

"The amount of injuries that we have, the amount of pressure we're putting on our bodies -- it is a very hard sport. I really don't want to put a timeframe on when I want to win a Grand Slam," said the Hyderabad native.

"The first goal for me is to pass the first round." Mirza shouldn't have a problem there, having drawn a qualifier, Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, in the opening round here.

Mirza takes tips from best

YOUNG Indian Sania Mirza didn't mind hanging around coach Tony Roche's place after their pre-Christmas lessons. After all, how often would you get the chance to hit with the most dominant player in the game?

Mirza relished the chance to drill briefly with world No. 1 Roger Federer on Roche's home court in Sydney when the Swiss champion arrived for a week of intensive practice.

"I just warmed him up," Mirza said yesterday after preparing for her first-round match tomorrow against qualifier Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus. "Tony is amazing. He was on the court almost seven, eight hours a day. He had to distribute the time after Roger came in. It was like two hours for me, two hours with Roger, then I was back.

"He was actually giving personal attention to both of us. And Sophie Ferguson was training with me, too."

Mirza, 19, was one of last year's big movers, jumping from 206 on the women's tour to a year-ending 31st world ranking.

Now ranked 32, she broke through for her debut singles title in her home city of Hyderabad and the huge ranking lift gave her early-round protection as a Melbourne Park seed.

A wildcard recipient in 2005, she reached the Open third round, lost first round at the French Open, second round at Wimbledon and made the US Open's last 16 in an amazing rookie year.

"It all started here. It's always going to be very special for me to come back here," Mirza said.

"It has been a phenomenal year. To be honest, I did surprise myself to some extent. I really didn't think it was going to happen so fast.

"Obviously, people are going to expect a lot more from me. You need to shut all those things out.

"I'm not a rookie any more. Obviously, a lot of people have seen how I play, seen my game. But I've worked with Tony to make some changes. I'm back fresher and I'm really excited."

Now a recognisable sports star in India, Mirza is carrying the hopes of Asia, too, watched by admiring parents.

"We were holidaying in Bangalore (when she was eight) and my parents were watching a Wimbledon final involving Steffi Graf. My dad said, 'Can you imagine our daughter playing there one day?' and my mum said, 'I would give my life if she could play there'," Mirza said.

"When I walked on to Wimbledon Centre Court (second-round loss to Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova in three sets), that was the most special moment for me because it was like a dream come true for my parents."

Sania Mirza of India practices for the Australian Open tennis tournament, one day before the opening round, in Melbourne on January 15, 2006. REUTERS/Adrees Latif 

It isn't easy to adjust at this level: Sania

Sania Mirza practices for the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 15, 2006.

It feels wonderful to know that I am the first Indian woman to be seeded at a Grand Slam. I will be even more delighted if several others emulate me in years to come!Of course, seedings don’t matter once you enter the court. A seeding in fact adds to the expectations of your supporters and the pressure on your shoulders. It is important that you learn to handle both. If you don’t, you are in trouble.

I play qualifier Viktoria Azarenka in the first round of the Australian Open. Playing a qualifier can often be a dicey proposition, for she comes into the game with three consecutive wins behind her. That all those wins have been achieved in the same conditions in which the bigger tournament will be played, adds to the qualifier’s confidence.

I will be playing both Doubles and Mixed Doubles in the Australian Open. It should be great to play on the same side of the court with Corina Morariu, who is ranked 15th in doubles and was Lindsay Davenport’s partner earlier.

I met Lindsay in Hong Kong, she told us that Morario was looking for a partner. From then on, it was a matter of getting in touch with her and gauging the ‘compatibility’ factor. We realised that our respective games would complement each other and decided to team up.

My mixed doubles partner is the Australian Steve Huss, who is a name to reckon with in the doubles circuit.

It should be a hectic fortnight, but singles will remain my topmost priority as always. The practice sessions have been invigorating, with my coach John Farrington and trainer Jade Hottes constantly by my side. We have slogged hard, and there is no reason why the results will not show. I am hitting the ball well and raring to go. The recent match against world no 17 Daniela Hantuchova in Sydney was an ideal beginning to the year. Though I lost, I took a set off her and had a good workout in the middle.

Anybody who has played a bit of tennis will tell you it is foolhardy to look beyond your next match. I am thrilled to have reached the highest level of the sport, and I am looking forward to my contests with the elite players from all over the world. It isn’t quite easy to adjust quickly at this level. My objective will be to give it my best shot, but take one match at a time.

AUSTRALIAN OPEN – Interview with Sania Mirza

Q. Looking back at what happened with you last year, can you just talk about that?

SANIA MIRZA: Well, yeah, it all started here. It's always going to be very special for me to come back here. You know, it's been a phenomenal year. To be honest, I did surprise myself to some extent maybe. I really didn't think it was going to happen so fast. I can't believe it's already been 12 months and I'm back here again. It's been a great year in everything. I've gained experience, moved up in rankings, played some great matches. Lost some, won some. It's been a great year.

Q. What stands out the most from last year?

SANIA MIRZA: Well, there's just not one thing. I think, you know, like I said, just playing against the best and just knowing that you're matching the best. I think that's one thing that has given me so much confidence.

Q. I think you're No. 2 in Asia now. You have a lot of expectations on your shoulders, not just from India, but from Asia. How do you handle those expectations? What are your hopes for this tournament?

SANIA MIRZA: Well, I think as an athlete, not only as a tennis player, you need ‑‑ expectations just come with the package. You need to learn how to take it. I think it just in a way motivates me because I know there are so many people backing me. Before it was just India, but now it's the whole of Asia that's backing me.

Sometimes you need to shut out some things and go on court and play your hundred percent, give your hundred percent every time you're on court, you know, leave the rest to that day. Really, it's very hard for me to say that every time I step on court I'm going to win every match. You know, that's how it's going to be. I can't do anything. There are some things out of my control, like the expectation part.

Q. Is there a different feeling coming in this year? Last year you weren't expected to do as well as you did. Now the expectations are higher.

SANIA MIRZA: Yeah. Well, I mean, I think just the numbers. I was a wildcard last year. I'm the 32 seed this year. Obviously people are going to expect a lot more from me ‑ even if not more, at least what I did last year. Like I said, you need to shut all those things out. Personally, every time I walk into a tournament, whatever tournament it is, I never go in saying I have to play the final of the tournament. Every time I walk in, it's there to win the first round.

Q. Do you feel this year may be a bigger change for you now that the other players know who you are, how you play?

SANIA MIRZA: Yeah, every year gets tougher on the circuit. You know, I'm no more a rookie any more. Obviously, a lot of people have seen how I play. A lot of people have seen my game. But, I mean, you know, I've worked with Tony in December, the whole of December, made some changes in my game. You know, I'm back fresher. I'm really excited. It's going to be great competition.

Q. You talked about shutting things out. How do you successfully shut those things out?

SANIA MIRZA: Like I said, I think you need to just go out there and play your game. I mean, every time if I step on court, start thinking about what a certain person has to say about every shot that I play, then I don't think ‑‑ I'm sure everybody has their own opinion. I think it's just a matter of taking some and not taking some. I think you just need to differentiate which is the better opinion that you need to take.

Like I said, expectations are not in my control. That's something I have to live with. That's every sports person's whatever you can call it. They just have to live with it.

Q. You also have to shut a lot of things out away from the court. How difficult is that?

SANIA MIRZA: It gets hard sometimes, like I said, just the way you shut out expectations. You know, I'm there, I'm playing tennis. That's what I'm here for. That's why I'm sitting in front of you all today, because I'm a tennis player. That's what I want to do the best I can for however long I can.

Q. Where did you do the work with Tony?

SANIA MIRZA: In Sydney.

Q. What specifically did you work on?

SANIA MIRZA: Well, we kind of worked on my serve, changed my action a little bit, worked a lot on my volleys, getting some variation in my game.

Q. Was that at his home court?

SANIA MIRZA: Sometimes. But sometimes we were playing at a club.

Q. Was Roger there at the same time?

SANIA MIRZA: He came in the last week.

Q. Did you have a chance to have a hit with him?

SANIA MIRZA: I just warmed him up. No, not really. Tony is amazing. He was on the court almost seven, eight hours a day. You know, he had to kind of distribute the time after Roger came in. It was like two hours for me, two hours with Roger, then I was back after two hours. He was actually giving personal attention to both of us. Actually, Sophie Ferguson was actually training with me, too.

Q. Do you get home very much? If so, what is the reception like these days?

SANIA MIRZA: Well, I've not been ‑‑ I left home 29th of November and I've not been home since. Every time I step back, when I get back, it doesn't mean I'm going to have a great reception. Like last year when I went back from the Australian Open, obviously people were very excited. There's press, there were like all these people.

It's amazing, though, like the amount of people that are so proud of you when you go back home, the amount of people that come up to you and say, "I'm proud to be Indian, you're doing a great job for India." It's just amazing that you can bring so many smiles to so many faces.

Q. Are you able to keep your privacy when you're home?

SANIA MIRZA: When I'm in Australia, yeah, it's a bit easier (laughter). Yeah, when I'm in India, it does get tough. I'm going to this place to practice, then I'm back home. Don't really like going out too much because I know I'm always going to be noticed. Again, that's the option I've made and this is what I've opted for. I think every sports person who is successful has to go through this. I'm enjoying it.

Q. Who introduced you to tennis and to sport? India has a strong sporting culture.

SANIA MIRZA: Well, there's a lot of cricket in my family, like from my dad's side. In fact, he used to play top cricket. I had a few uncles who played a lot of cricket. I guess if I was a guy, I'd be playing cricket, too.

I love the sport. I was the first one to play tennis. My parents always had a dream that they wanted their child to play a sport, a boy or a girl. They obviously never ‑‑ it was always a dream to play on Centre Court at Wimbledon or center court at the US Open or play the Grand Slams. I don't think they ever thought it would come true so quickly.

It just kept happening. I just started playing tournaments. I used to go swimming, tennis, do a lot of things. I think they just ‑‑ at 6, obviously you don't know what you're best at. My parents had the eye and they kind of realized that I was more talented at tennis than all the other things.

Q. Some countries do have women's cricket teams.

SANIA MIRZA: So does India. We do actually. I think one of the Indian girls holds a world record, Mithali Raj, she comes from my city. Yeah, we do have. But it's not as big as men's cricket.

Q. You weren't tempted to go into that, follow in the family tradition?

SANIA MIRZA: Not really. I used to do everything except play cricket. When I was, I used to play badminton, swimming, tennis. For some very weird reason, I didn't play cricket. I don't know why. I never ‑‑ I don't know, I just never ‑‑ like till lately, I didn't even know there was such a big team. England was touring India I think a couple years ago. Before that, I didn't even know.

Q. Do you feel you have it within yourself to be a Grand Slam champion? If so, what sort of time frame have you given yourself personally to achieve that?

SANIA MIRZA: That's definitely a dream. I think this is what we're all playing for, is to win a Grand Slam, is to be the best you can. But I really ‑‑ it's very hard to say whether I'm going to or when I'm going to. It's just a matter of time. There are a lot of things that count in winning a Grand Slam or even for that matter staying at the position where I am. I mean, the amount of injuries that we have, the amount of pressure we're putting on our bodies, it's a very hard sport.

I really don't want to set a time frame when I want to win a Grand Slam. I just hope I stay here at this level or get better as good as I can and stay here for a few years at least.

Q. Do you set yourself a goal for a tournament like this?

SANIA MIRZA: Like I said, every time I enter a Grand Slam or every time I enter a tournament, the first goal is to pass the first round because I feel passing the first round is one of the toughest things to do in a tournament because everyone's fresh. Getting into a tournament, especially when, like you said, there are a lot of expectations. Over here, I'm seeded. Obviously, however much you try to shut it out, there is this thing in your mind because the person you're playing has no pressure at all, she's just playing there because it's her whatever. It's the first round. So I think that's the toughest part.

Q. If you could choose one Grand Slam to win, which one would it be?

SANIA MIRZA: Well, any Grand Slam would be fine (laughter). I don't know. I would just be lucky if I win any Grand Slam. It's very hard for me to choose which one.

Q. When you were younger, playing backyard cricket, cricketers thinking about playing at Lords or the MCG. You were dreaming about US Open and Wimbledon. What were those tournaments for you back home?
SANIA MIRZA: Well, interestingly enough, when my parents decided ‑‑ well, when they did see the talent in me when I played tennis, we were holidaying in Bangalore, a city in India. My parents were watching I think a Wimbledon final between Steffi and Conchita Martinez, I think. My dad said, "Can you imagine our daughter playing there one day?" My mom said, "I would give my life if she could play there." When I walked on the Wimbledon Centre Court, I think that was the most special moment for me because it was like a dream come true for my parents.

Q. Were you surprised at the negative side that your higher profile brought last year?

SANIA MIRZA: Not really. I think everything's got its pros and everything's got its cons. The way you take wins you need to take the losses. The way you take all the positive things, you need to take all the negative things. It just goes with ‑‑ I think it just comes in a package.

Give Mirza some space, says Amritraj

BANGALORE: The former Indian ace Vijay Amritraj urged Sania Mirza to stay focussed and work hard to get into the top 20 rankings. In an informal chat with the media here on Wednesday, Amritraj said, "she had a very wonderful 2005 and she has the ability and talent to make it to the top 20, which should be her next goal."

He, however, warned against expecting too much. "All of us, including the media, have been putting pressure on Sania. Let's give her some space," he said.

Talking about the Davis Cup tie against South Korea next month, he said it could be a tough match. "They are playing at home and on hard courts and that should be tough for us. Granting that we win the doubles, courtesy

Seeding does not count for much: Sania

Melbourne: Sania Mirza sought to play down her being seeded for the first time at a Grand Slam on Friday, saying it would only make her a target for rivals.

The 19-year old, ranked 34 in the world, has been seeded 32nd in singles main draw of the Australian Open where she is set to take on a qualifier in the first round.

Sania said seedings would not matter once the match began, just as she showed the tennis world with her meteoric rise last season.

“Yes, it is a great honour. But the seeding does not count for much once you are out there on court,” the Hyderabadi said.

“And I know there will be a lot more players gunning for me, firing on all cylinders, now that I am seeded,” said Sania, who reached the third round in Melbourne last season.

Sania’s first-round opponent will be decided on Saturday. The Indian said any qualifier would have the momentum going with her.

Sania to face junior world champion Azarenka in first round

Sydney: Sania Mirza will take on the reigning junior world champion Victoria Azarenka of Belarus in her first round draw in the Australian Open which starts in Melbourne on Monday.

The unseeded Azarenka -- world number 156 -- is a familiar face for the Melbourne crowd after she won the Australian Open girl's championship last year winning both the singles and the doubles events but the 16-year-old faces a tough challenge in her maiden grand slam appearance as she prepares to take on the world no 34 Indian.

If Sania gets past Azarenka she will face the winner of 60th ranked Michaella Krajicek (Netherlands) and 78th ranked Kristina Brandi (Puerto Rico) match.

The 19-year-old Hyderabad tennis sensation, who is seeded 32nd, saw a meteoric rise in rankings after reaching the third round of the tournament where she lost to eventual champion Serena Williams.

Sania, who is known for her powerful forehands, is the only Indian woman to have reached the third round of a grand slam.

Rivals would be gunning for me: Sania

Sania Mirza today sought to play down her being seeded for the first time at a Grand Slam, saying it would only make her a target for rivals.

The 19-year old, ranked 34 in the world, has been seeded 32nd in singles main draw of the Australian Open where she is set to take on a qualifier in the first round.

Sania, who goes into the tournament without a win under her belt this season, said seedings would not matter once the match began, just as she showed the tennis world with her meteoric rise last season.

"Yes, it is a great honour. But the seeding does not count for much once you are out there on court," the Hyderabadi told PTI.

"And I know there will be a lot more players gunning for me, firing on all cylinders, now that I am seeded," said Sania, who reached the third round at Melbourne last season.

Sania's first-round opponent will be decided tomorrow.

The Indian said any qualifier would have the momentum going with her.

"Playing a qualifier in the first round is never easy as she has the confidence of already having won three matches," said Sania, who herself has lost all her three matches since she started the season.

"She (the qualifier) would be well acquainted with the playing conditions. I have been on the circuit long enough to know that it is foolhardy to look beyond the next match." Sania trained with legendary coach Tony Roche in December and began her season at an exhibition event in Hong Kong where the eight-player line up included three of the four reigning Grand Slam champions.

She lost to Venus Williams and Nicole Vaidisova in the singles there and then exited a Tour event in Sydney in the first round.

Sania is placed in the bottom half of the draw at the Australian Open, and she is in the same quarter as third seeded French Amelie Mauresmo.

A win in the first round would pit her against either Michaella Krajicek or Kristina Brandi before probably facing Mauresmo in the third round.

The start of the season has been entirely different to how she could have felt on the previous occasions.

She entered the Australian Open last time courtesy a default wild card whereas she has been seeded this time.

"It is a good feeling to have got to a level where one has the opportunity to compete against the best in the world," Sania said.

Australian Open: Sania seeded 32nd

India's tennis sensation Sania Mirza was on Thursday seeded 32 in the women's draw for next week's Australian Open.

The 19-year-old, who is ranked 34th in the WTA Tour rankings, occupies the last seeded place.

The teenager from Hyderabad had a brilliant run in 2005, where she took her ranking as high as 31 (October 10, 2005) after starting the year on 206.

In her maiden appearance at the Australian Open last year, Sania created history when she became the first Indian woman to enter the third round of a Grand Slam tennis event, before losing to Serena Williams.

World number one Roger Federer and his counterpart in the women's game Lindsay Davenport were named top seeds.

India's Sania Mirza reaches for a backhand during her first round match against Slovakia's Daniela Hantuchova at the Sydney International tennis tournament January 9, 2006. Hantuchova defeated Mirza 6-4 2-6 6-2. REUTERS/David Gray 

Sania goes down to Hantuchova

Sania Mirza runs back to reach a lob shot during her first round match against Slovakia's Daniela Hantuchova at the Sydney International tennis tournament

Sania Mirza pulled off a set before going down fighting against world number 17 Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia in the first round of the Medibank International Open in Sydney today.

Sania, playing in her first WTA Tour match of the season, went down 6-4 2-6 6-2 to US Open mixed doubles champion in a Centre Court match at the USD 600,000 event.

Will take time to find rhythm, says Sania

Sania Mirza hits a forehand during her first round match against Slovakia's Daniela Hantuchova at the Sydney International tennis tournament January 9, 2006

Sania Mirza managed to win her first set of the season but a couple of crucial line call overrules nipped her fight in the bud as she went down to Slovakian Daniela Hantuchova in the first round of Medibank International Open here today.

Sania, playing in her first WTA Tour match of the season, went down 6-4 2-6 6-2 to Hantuchova, world number 17, in a Centre Court match at the USD 600,000 event.

The 19-year old Hyderabadi, world ranked 34, should have been 5-2 up but an overrule by the chair umpire at a critical moment cost her the lead.

A similar overrule in the decider saw the Indian go down 2-5 down instead of staying on serve for 3-4.

Sania said it would be at least a couple of months before she found her touch as she had made a few changes to her game while training under Tony Roche.

"It will take me a few months for sure in match pressure situations before I expect to be confident with what I am trying to execute. But for a start -- pretty good,"

Sania had marked her return to the courts with an high profile exhibition event in Hong Kong last week after a back strain brought her 2005 season to an early end. "I think I have recovered sufficiently from the back problem as I had no problems with it," she said.

The Hong Kong event featured three of the four reigning Grand Slam champions and Sania got to play two singles and as many doubles matches, pairing up with world number two Kim Clijsters.

Sania failed to win a set in that event but felt she was still finding her match rhythm after a tough three-week workout with Roche in Sydney during the winter break.

On the new shoes custom-designed by Lotto that she has started using only last week, Sania said, "I am a lot more comfortable in them than I ever was.

Sania to face Hantuchova

Sania Mirza is all set to face world number 17 Daniela Hantuchova at the Sydney International.

The tier-two event on the WTA tour features some of the top players in the world.

These include Martina Hingis who is playing Justine Henin Hardenne in the first round.

Mirza played her first event of the season at the Champions Challenge in Hong Kong last week.

Tribal girls defy elders to sport 'Sania nose ring'

Betul (MP): They might never have heard about the game but the magic of Indian tennis sensation Sania Mirza's nose ring has enraptured the damsels of this tribal-dominated district.

At weekly markets in faraway townships and rural regions, tribal girls are drawn to the Sania posters displayed by the shopowners and are asking for similar nose rings.

The Sania nose-rings are in great demand in the weekly market at Bhimpura block's Damjipura and dozens of villages including Chillaur and Mohra, shopkeepers say.

''Nowadays nobody sports traditional large rings and all my friends are also wearing smaller variety, just like the heroine in the poster, says young Jayawanti from Chillaur.

According to small-time cosmetics dealer Ramdeen, the tribals are fast catching up in the fashion race. ''While young men purchase goggles, the fairer sex eyes lipstick, bindis, hair clips and the small nose rings,'' he added.

However, the older generation is not amused. Sixty-year-old Ramrati said that sporting a large nose ring is a tribal tradition that should be followed.

What does 2006 have in store for Sania Mirza?

Manisha Rathore

According to her horoscope, Sania’s moonsign is the fiery and dynamic Aries ruled by Mars, which gives her an indomitable spirit and a never-say-die attitude. She is a woman of strong will and personality and will always lead a very independent and self-sufficient life. Ambitious and go-getting, she may seem tough on the surface but inside she is a very sensitive, romantic and emotional. Passionate and dynamic she imparts this special quality to whatever she does. To add to her martial qualitites, an exalted mars, ruler of her moonsign is posited in her ascendant in Capricorn. Mars in Capricorn brings out the best of Mars, A practical approach combined with action, planning and strategy.

This also gives rise to a special yoga, Ruchaka yoga one of the Panchamahapurusha yogas. She has a lot of energy, power and determination and will always excel in her game. Like everyone else she too may have her phases but she will always emerge a winner, Mars will give her a never-say-die attitude and a winner’s streak. Her sunsign is Libra and she has three planets posited in the sign of Libra sun, mercury and Venus. Venus is in its own house gives rise to Malavya yoga which is one of the Panchamahapurusha yoga hence this gives her charm, beauty and glamour and her lucky number is also 6, the number of Venus.

Her temperament is gentle, loving and artisitic. Not just sports and game but she is also fond of art and music and may later move on to the glamour world and showbiz. Sun and Mercury together give rise to Buddha aditya yoga, which makes her sharp and intelligent and easy to assimilate knowledge. However though the sun in the tenth house is debilitated, it is ‘neechabhanga’ which means the debilitation gets cancelled. But still that is the reason why inspite of no fault of hers she gets dragged in unnecessary controversy and issues. Secondly, since an exalted Mars aspects the moon, she is impulsive and outspoken and blunt and says whatever comes to her head and thinks later. But since Jupiter aspects the 10th house, all will be well that ends well.

vThis year 2006 is going to be very good for her. As Jupiter transits through her seventh house there may be an official announcement of an engagement or marriage. She will find love and romance in her life and this will be a very fulfilling and happy year for her. The first half of the year will be much better than the second half and the time from 2007 onwards she will be her brightest . Born on a Poornima day, She is born lucky and will have a very happy and fulfilling life.

Sania-Kim lose Watson Waters Champions Challenge Final

India’s Sania Mirza and Belgian Kim Clijsters lost to Russia’s Elena Dementieva and Czech Nicole Vaidisova in the doubles' final of the Watson Waters Champions Challenge Tournament at Hong Kong.

At 5-6, some critical errors by Clijsters and Sania allowed their opponents to break Sania in the 12th game of the best of 15 games. 7-5 up, the Czech/Russian pair duly won the last game to wrap up the final by eight games to five.

http://www.the7am.com/news/articles/?id=558

Sania loses playoff

Sania Mirza lost to Nicole Vaidisova of Czech Republic 7-6, 6-3 in the losers playoff at the Champions Challenge exhibition tournament today. Lindsay Davenport beat an injured Venus Williams 6-3, 6-1, and Kim Clijsters defeated Elena Dementieva 6-3, 6-3 to set up a showdown between the world’s top two female players in the final tomorrow.
Earlier, Serena Williams
withdrew from her match citing injury, dealing a blow to her preparations to defend her Australian Open crown in less than two weeks. Williams, plagued with injury for most of last year, forfeited her match against Zheng Jie from China saying she was suffering from inflammation of the left knee.
“This is really not something I would like to do, but unfortunately I was advised by the wonderful physiotherapists here, that I shouldn’t play because I developed some swelling in my knee,” Williams, told the crowd.

Sania Mirza says cultural bias against sports is easing

Hong Kong; Sania Mirza says an easing of the cultural bias against sports in her home country could lead to a new crop Indian tennis stars.

"They (parents) do want their children to come out and play a sport now and being a doctor or a lawyer is not the only thing that matters," said Mirza, ranked 34th in the world on the sidelines of an exhibition tournament in Hong Kong this week.

"I think right now people are starting to believe that tennis can be a profession, which people didn't believe," the 19-year-old said.

India has produced world class tennis players in the past: 1999 French Open and Wimbledon men's' doubles champions Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi and previously, Vijay Amritraj.

But Mirza is India's first female tennis star and the country has embraced her, with businessmen and health workers alike signing her up to promote their respective causes and products. Her appeal spans the region, with Time Magazine naming her one of Asia's Heroes in 2005.

But Mirza said she was a loner when she first started out in India.

Sania could get India second WTA tourney

Chennai: Thanks to Sania Mirza, India could be allotted a second WTA tennis tournament.

If that happens, Chennai would be an ideal venue, says one of the principal organisers of the ongoing ATP Chennai Open.

Currently, Sania's hometown Hyderabad is the only Indian city to host a WTA event.

"If there is going to be (another WTA) in India, it will certainly be in Chennai," Ravi Krishnan, managing director of International Management Group/Trans World International, told IANS

"I cannot commit a time frame, but, yes, we would love to arrange a women's event here.

"Obviously, when we have a player of the stature of Sania Mirza, another international women's event in India will provide an opportunity for growth," Krishnan maintained.

"We are talking to people... sponsors, state governments, players. If we can raise the money, we would love to the event in Chennai", he added.

Sania Mirza of India returns the ball during the quarter final match against Venus Williams of the United States at the Champions Challenge tennis tournament in Hong Kong Thursay, Jan. 5, 2006. Williams won 6-3, 6-3. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) 

Sania Mirza of India reacts during her match against Venus Williams of the U.S. at the Champions Challenge 2006 in Hong Kong January 5, 2006. Williams won the match 6-3 6-3. REUTERS/Paul Yeung 

Sania Mirza of India returns a ball while playing against Venus Williams of U.S. at the Champions Challenge 2006 in Hong Kong January 5, 2006. Venus Williams won the match 6-3 6-3. REUTERS/Paul Yeung 

Sania Mirza of India reacts during her tennis match against Venus Williams of the U.S. at the Champions Challenge 2006 in Hong Kong January 5, 2006. Williams won 6-3 6-3. REUTERS/Paul Yeung 

Sania Mirza of India looks at the ball during her tennis match against Venus Williams of the U.S. at the Champions Challenge 2006 in Hong Kong January 5, 2006. Williams won 6-3 6-3. REUTERS/Paul Yeung 

Sania Mirza of India returns the ball during the quarter final match against Venus Williams of the U.S. at the Champions challenge tennis exibition tournament in Hong Kong Thursay, Jan.5, 2006. Venus won 6-3, 6-3. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung 

Sania Mirza of India reacts during her tennis match against Venus Williams of the U.S. at the Champions Challenge 2006 in Hong Kong January 5, 2006. Williams won 6-3 6-3. REUTERS/Paul Yeung 

Sania Mirza of India returns shot during her tennis match against Venus Williams of the U.S. at the Champions Challenge 2006 in Hong Kong January 5, 2006. Williams won 6-3 6-3. REUTERS/Paul Yeung