Sania Mirza of India returns a forehand to Francesca Schiavone of Italy during the US Open at the USTA Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York. Schiavone won 5-7, 6-1, 6-2
Thursday, August 31, 2006
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Sania Mirza of India returns a forehand to Francesca Schiavone of Italy during the US Open at the USTA Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York. Schiavone won 5-7, 6-1, 6-2
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Italy's Francesca Schiavone (R) shakes hands with India's Sania Mirza after Schiavone's win at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York August 31, 2006
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India's Sania Mirza falls during her match against Italy's Francesca Schiavone at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York August 31, 2006
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Sania Mirza of India hits a return to Francesca Schiavone of Italy at the US Open tennis tournament in New York, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2006.
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Sania Mirza of India hits a return to Francesca Schiavone of Italy at the US Open tennis tournament in New York, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2006.
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Sania Mirza of India hits a return to Francesca Schiavone of Italy at the US Open tennis tournament in New York, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2006
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Sania Mirza celebrates winning a point during her match against Italy's Francesca Schiavone at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York August 31, 2006
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Sania Mirza celebrates winning a point during her match against Italy's Francesca Schiavone at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York August 31, 2006
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Sania Mirza celebrates winning a point during her match against Italy's Francesca Schiavone at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York August 31, 2006
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Sania Mirza plays a shot to Italy's Francesca Schiavone during their match at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York August 31, 2006. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
Sania flatters to deceive
new york, august 31 :Sania Mirza flattered to deceive once again as she bowed out of the US Open women’s singles with a three-set loss to Fransesco Schiavone of Italy in the second round here today. Much like her Wimbledon loss to Elena Dementieva, Sania started strongly before fading out, losing 7-5, 1-6, 2-6 to the 14th seed in the year’s final Grand Slam at Flushing Meadows. If anything, the Italian proved an even tougher nut to crack than Dementieva while taming Sania in two hours and 20 minutes to advance to the third round.
The first set saw Schiavone rally from 1-4 down to go 5-4 up. But the Hyderabad girl held her nerve to retain her serve for 5-5 and broke her opponent in the next game by earning triple breakpoints.
Sania appeared to be on a roll as she garnered three set points and rounded off the set in style.
But the second set turned out to be a disaster. Schiavone broke Sania three times to mark a complete turn around in the match.
Sania still has a chance. She and Liezel Huber will take on the American pair of Angela Haynes and Neha Uberoi in the women’s doubles first round. While, Sania will team up with Pavel Vizner in the mixed doubles to face Katarina Srebotnik and Nenad Zimonjic.
The first set saw Schiavone rally from 1-4 down to go 5-4 up. But the Hyderabad girl held her nerve to retain her serve for 5-5 and broke her opponent in the next game by earning triple breakpoints.
Sania appeared to be on a roll as she garnered three set points and rounded off the set in style.
But the second set turned out to be a disaster. Schiavone broke Sania three times to mark a complete turn around in the match.
Sania still has a chance. She and Liezel Huber will take on the American pair of Angela Haynes and Neha Uberoi in the women’s doubles first round. While, Sania will team up with Pavel Vizner in the mixed doubles to face Katarina Srebotnik and Nenad Zimonjic.
Hingis, Sania top seeded for Kolkata Open tennis
Former world No. 1 Martina Hingis and current No. 54 Sania Mirza will be the star attraction at the $175,000 Sunfeast Open tennis tournament starting here Sep 18, it was announced here Thursday.
A Tier III tournament, Sunfeast Open will have as many as nine of the top 100 ranked players of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA), the organisers said here.
Besides Switzerland's Hingis, who has been top seeded for the tournament, Croatian Karolina Sprem, runner-up in the first edition of the event in 2005, Yuliana Fedak from Ukraine and Hungarian Melinda Czink are the other well-known names that will compete at the Netaji Indoor Stadium Sep 18-24.
Some of the other better known players taking part are Galina Voskoboeva of Russia, Kaia Kanepi of Estonia, Frenchwoman Aravane Rezai and Yulia Beygelzimer of Ukraine.
"In its second edition itself the Sunfeast Open has grown in stature and this year too we have an array of top players who will provide some scintillating action on the courts," said Mahesh Bhupathi, whose company Globosport India is organising the tournament.
Bhupathi, who is Golobosport's managing director, said each of the promising youngster is capable of winning their first WTA title, adding excitement to the challenge.
"The leading players have beaten the best in the field and this fact holds promise for some dazzling display for tennis lovers of our country. I am pleased to say that the Sunfeast Open has lived up to its objective of attracting the finest talent and providing Indian fans a chance to watch great tennis."
Apart from three wild cards that will be announced soon, four players will make it from the qualifying round to be held Sep 16 and 17.
Seedings: 1 Martina Hingis (Switzerland), 2. Sania Mirza (India), 3. Karolina Sprem (Croatia), 4. Yuliana Fedak (Ukraine), 5. Melinda Czink (Hungary), 6. Galina Voskoboeva (Russia), 7. Kaia Kanepi (Estonia), 8. Aravane Rezai (France), 9. Yulia Beygelzimer (Ukraine), 10. Hana Sromova (Czechoslovakia), 11. Anastassia Rodionova (Russia), 12. Nicole Pratt (Australia), 13. Olga Poutchkova (Russia), 14. Tamarine Tanasugarn (Thailand), 15. Angelique Widjaja (Indonesia), 16. Antonella Serra Zanetti (Italy), 17. Sandra Kloesel (Germany), 18. Lioudmila Skavronskaia (Russia), 19. Tatiana Poutchek (Belarus), 20. Yung-jan Chan (Taipei), 21. Anda Perianu (Romania), 22. Tzipora Obziler (Israel), 23. Arantxa Parra Santonja (Spain) and 24. Anne Keothavong (Britain).
A Tier III tournament, Sunfeast Open will have as many as nine of the top 100 ranked players of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA), the organisers said here.
Besides Switzerland's Hingis, who has been top seeded for the tournament, Croatian Karolina Sprem, runner-up in the first edition of the event in 2005, Yuliana Fedak from Ukraine and Hungarian Melinda Czink are the other well-known names that will compete at the Netaji Indoor Stadium Sep 18-24.
Some of the other better known players taking part are Galina Voskoboeva of Russia, Kaia Kanepi of Estonia, Frenchwoman Aravane Rezai and Yulia Beygelzimer of Ukraine.
"In its second edition itself the Sunfeast Open has grown in stature and this year too we have an array of top players who will provide some scintillating action on the courts," said Mahesh Bhupathi, whose company Globosport India is organising the tournament.
Bhupathi, who is Golobosport's managing director, said each of the promising youngster is capable of winning their first WTA title, adding excitement to the challenge.
"The leading players have beaten the best in the field and this fact holds promise for some dazzling display for tennis lovers of our country. I am pleased to say that the Sunfeast Open has lived up to its objective of attracting the finest talent and providing Indian fans a chance to watch great tennis."
Apart from three wild cards that will be announced soon, four players will make it from the qualifying round to be held Sep 16 and 17.
Seedings: 1 Martina Hingis (Switzerland), 2. Sania Mirza (India), 3. Karolina Sprem (Croatia), 4. Yuliana Fedak (Ukraine), 5. Melinda Czink (Hungary), 6. Galina Voskoboeva (Russia), 7. Kaia Kanepi (Estonia), 8. Aravane Rezai (France), 9. Yulia Beygelzimer (Ukraine), 10. Hana Sromova (Czechoslovakia), 11. Anastassia Rodionova (Russia), 12. Nicole Pratt (Australia), 13. Olga Poutchkova (Russia), 14. Tamarine Tanasugarn (Thailand), 15. Angelique Widjaja (Indonesia), 16. Antonella Serra Zanetti (Italy), 17. Sandra Kloesel (Germany), 18. Lioudmila Skavronskaia (Russia), 19. Tatiana Poutchek (Belarus), 20. Yung-jan Chan (Taipei), 21. Anda Perianu (Romania), 22. Tzipora Obziler (Israel), 23. Arantxa Parra Santonja (Spain) and 24. Anne Keothavong (Britain).
Sania faces seeded Italian in US Open round 2
New York - India’s Sania Mirza is set to meet Italian 14th seed Francesca Schiavone in the second round of the $5,690,000 US Open after one of her best wins of the year.
The 19-year-old Sania, who lost in the quarter-finals at the Forest Hills US Open primer last week, beat experienced Croat Karolina Sprem 6-4, 6-2 in 75 minutes in the first round at Flushing Meadows Monday.
Steadier on her serve and more aggressive with her ground strokes, Sania got the breakthrough she was looking for in the 10th game to take the opening set 6-4. Quickly pushing home her advantage, she jumped out into a 4-1 lead to take the set 6-2 and move into the second round.
Apart from singles, Sania has entered the women’s doubles event with Liezel Huber of South Africa and the mixed doubles event with Pavel Vizner of the Czech Republic.
Sania became the first Indian woman to reach the women’s singles fourth round at her first US Open in 2005. She then lost to Maria Sharapova of Russia in the pre-quarterfinals in the singles, but could not go beyond the first round in the doubles.
Meanwhile, World No. 1 star Amelie Mauresmo and former top-ranked players Martina Hingis and Serena Williams also posted first round wins Wednesday.
The reigning Wimbledon, Australian Open and WTA Championships title holder, Mauresmo needed two days to get past qualifier Kristina Barrois 6-1, 7-5.
The match was suspended because of rain Tuesday, with Barrois leading 5-2 in the second set, but the top-seeded French star returned to the court to win five straight games, and the match, on Day 3 of the Open.
An eighth-seeded Hingis snuck past Chinese Shuai Peng 4-6, 6-1, 6-3. The five-time Grand Slam champion Hingis titled here in 1997 and was the back-to-back runner-up in 1998 and 1999.
An unseeded Williams trounced Spaniard Lourdes Dominguez Lino 6-1, 6-2 in 55 minutes. The seven-time Grand Slam title holder Serena captured the US Open in 1999 and 2002 and was the runner-up to her big sister Venus in 2001.
The 19-year-old Sania, who lost in the quarter-finals at the Forest Hills US Open primer last week, beat experienced Croat Karolina Sprem 6-4, 6-2 in 75 minutes in the first round at Flushing Meadows Monday.
Steadier on her serve and more aggressive with her ground strokes, Sania got the breakthrough she was looking for in the 10th game to take the opening set 6-4. Quickly pushing home her advantage, she jumped out into a 4-1 lead to take the set 6-2 and move into the second round.
Apart from singles, Sania has entered the women’s doubles event with Liezel Huber of South Africa and the mixed doubles event with Pavel Vizner of the Czech Republic.
Sania became the first Indian woman to reach the women’s singles fourth round at her first US Open in 2005. She then lost to Maria Sharapova of Russia in the pre-quarterfinals in the singles, but could not go beyond the first round in the doubles.
Meanwhile, World No. 1 star Amelie Mauresmo and former top-ranked players Martina Hingis and Serena Williams also posted first round wins Wednesday.
The reigning Wimbledon, Australian Open and WTA Championships title holder, Mauresmo needed two days to get past qualifier Kristina Barrois 6-1, 7-5.
The match was suspended because of rain Tuesday, with Barrois leading 5-2 in the second set, but the top-seeded French star returned to the court to win five straight games, and the match, on Day 3 of the Open.
An eighth-seeded Hingis snuck past Chinese Shuai Peng 4-6, 6-1, 6-3. The five-time Grand Slam champion Hingis titled here in 1997 and was the back-to-back runner-up in 1998 and 1999.
An unseeded Williams trounced Spaniard Lourdes Dominguez Lino 6-1, 6-2 in 55 minutes. The seven-time Grand Slam title holder Serena captured the US Open in 1999 and 2002 and was the runner-up to her big sister Venus in 2001.
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Top stars to vie for Sunfeast Open 2006 title
A dazzling line up featuring the generation next of women’s tennis from across the world will take centre stage from September 18 - 24 at the Netaji Indoor Stadium here for Sunfeast Open 2006, the second edition of South Asia’s prestigious WTA tournament. Leading the star studded contingent will be the Swiss Miss and former World No.1 Martina Hingis and India’s teenage sensation and superstar Sania Mirza.
Of the gritty girls who will battle for the $175,000 Sunfeast Open title in the Tier III tournament, as many as 9 are among the WTA Top 100, including the Croation Karolina Sprem, the runner-up in the inaugural edition of the event in 2005, Yuliana Fedak from Ukraine and Hungarian Melinda Czink. Sizzling up the fray with their exciting brand of explosive tennis will be other Top 100 players such as Galina Voskoboeva (Russia), Kaia Kanepi (Estonia), Aravane Rezai (France) and Yulia Beygelzimer (Ukraine).
The Sunfeast Open, the most prestigious Sony Ericsson WTA tournament ever held in India is organized by Globosport, India’s leading sports and entertainment management company headed by Indian tennis idol Mahesh Bhupathi. The inaugural edition of the Sunfeast Open was an outstanding success and testimony to the joint efforts of Government of West Bengal, Globosport and ITC, one of India’s most valuable and respected corporations, who are the Title Sponsors of the Event.
Announcing the field of players (see attached list), Mahesh Bhupathi, Managing Director, Globosport India said, “In its second edition itself the Sunfeast Open has grown in stature and this year too we have an array of top players who will provide some scintillating action on the courts. The presence of a group of promising youngsters, each capable of winning their first WTA title will add excitement to the challenge. The leading players have beaten the best in the field and this fact holds promise for some dazzling display for tennis lovers of our country. I am pleased to say that the Sunfeast Open has lived up to its objective of attracting the finest talent and providing Indian fans a chance to watch great tennis.”
Mr Ravi Naware, Divisional Chief Executive ITC Foods said, “Sunfeast Open, India’s biggest WTA tournament has been a huge draw and will continue to enthrall the crowds each year. With the successful completion of the first edition in 2005 and the brilliant player field this year, Kolkata has been placed amongst the elite cities in the world of tennis. We are thrilled that our pioneering association with the Sunfeast Open since its inception has helped raise the profile of women’s tennis in India and resulted in the active involvement of thousands of youngsters through our unique initiatives, like the Sunfeast Open Design the Trophy Contest and our Sunfeast Open Ball Boy and Ball Girl Contest.”
In 1997, Martina became the fastest player ever to win $1 million in a season and a day later became the youngest-ever world No. 1, ending Steffi Graf's record reign (for men and women) of 377 total weeks. Martina has had a good run this season and last week she made her first appearance in the Top 10 since October 13, 2002. Currently ranked No. 9 in the World and seeded number one at the Sunfeast Open, 2006, Martina will be making her maiden appearance in India.
Sania Mirza is no stranger to the Courts and Galleries at Kolkata. Egged on as always by her legion of delirious fans, Sania will lead the Indian charge at the Sunfeast Open 2006. Martina and Sania, however, will be mistaken if they have planned an easy route to the finals. Snapping at their heels will be Sprem who would be trying hard to overcome the disappointment of losing out in the finals of Sunfeast Open last year. The former World No.17 is back with a vengeance and an eye firmly fixed on the crown. This year she has already recorded her career-best performance at Roland Garros reaching the third round with an upset win over No.18 seed Likhovtseva before eventually going down fighting to No.11 seed Venus Williams. Sania has now gained an upper hand over Sprem by defeating her yesterday in straight sets 6-4, 6-2 in the first round of the US Open 2006.
For Ukranian Yuliana Fedak this will be the second visit to India during the year. In February, she played at the Bangalore WTA tournament where she recorded a quarter-final appearance before losing to the eventual winner. Fedak has partnered with both Sania Mirza and Melinda Czink but won’t give space to either in her quest for the maiden WTA title.
Czink is 2005’s culprit when she put paid to the hopes of millions of Indians by defeating Sania Mirza in the pre-quarters in a thrilling three-setter (0-6, 6-4, 6-4). Sania and India will be eagerly seeking sweet revenge should the two meet in the 2006 edition. The recent defeat to Martina Hingis in Dubai is also likely to play on Sania’s mind if the duo charts the expected path into the finals. However, Sania is capable of beating the best on her day, something that each of her opponents in the draw would be aware of.
Waiting in the wings will be the Thai star Tamarine Tansasugarn for whom India is a favourite hunting ground having won the WTA Hyderabad Open in 2003. The Asian star has been a steady performer on the Tour and also has five doubles titles. Not to be ignored are also a handful of youngsters eagerly awaiting their day to prove their mettle. Apart from three wild cards that will be announced soon, the qualifiers that will be held on September 16 and 17 will throw up four more participants.
In the battle between the stars, the real winner is the Indian tennis fan, for whom the opportunity of watching the game’s brightest sparks has come right to the doorstep. As fans wait with bated breath and the girls work harder on their game, the Sunfeast Open 2006 promises a week of high octane tennis served up in style and in the spirit of the game.
Of the gritty girls who will battle for the $175,000 Sunfeast Open title in the Tier III tournament, as many as 9 are among the WTA Top 100, including the Croation Karolina Sprem, the runner-up in the inaugural edition of the event in 2005, Yuliana Fedak from Ukraine and Hungarian Melinda Czink. Sizzling up the fray with their exciting brand of explosive tennis will be other Top 100 players such as Galina Voskoboeva (Russia), Kaia Kanepi (Estonia), Aravane Rezai (France) and Yulia Beygelzimer (Ukraine).
The Sunfeast Open, the most prestigious Sony Ericsson WTA tournament ever held in India is organized by Globosport, India’s leading sports and entertainment management company headed by Indian tennis idol Mahesh Bhupathi. The inaugural edition of the Sunfeast Open was an outstanding success and testimony to the joint efforts of Government of West Bengal, Globosport and ITC, one of India’s most valuable and respected corporations, who are the Title Sponsors of the Event.
Announcing the field of players (see attached list), Mahesh Bhupathi, Managing Director, Globosport India said, “In its second edition itself the Sunfeast Open has grown in stature and this year too we have an array of top players who will provide some scintillating action on the courts. The presence of a group of promising youngsters, each capable of winning their first WTA title will add excitement to the challenge. The leading players have beaten the best in the field and this fact holds promise for some dazzling display for tennis lovers of our country. I am pleased to say that the Sunfeast Open has lived up to its objective of attracting the finest talent and providing Indian fans a chance to watch great tennis.”
Mr Ravi Naware, Divisional Chief Executive ITC Foods said, “Sunfeast Open, India’s biggest WTA tournament has been a huge draw and will continue to enthrall the crowds each year. With the successful completion of the first edition in 2005 and the brilliant player field this year, Kolkata has been placed amongst the elite cities in the world of tennis. We are thrilled that our pioneering association with the Sunfeast Open since its inception has helped raise the profile of women’s tennis in India and resulted in the active involvement of thousands of youngsters through our unique initiatives, like the Sunfeast Open Design the Trophy Contest and our Sunfeast Open Ball Boy and Ball Girl Contest.”
In 1997, Martina became the fastest player ever to win $1 million in a season and a day later became the youngest-ever world No. 1, ending Steffi Graf's record reign (for men and women) of 377 total weeks. Martina has had a good run this season and last week she made her first appearance in the Top 10 since October 13, 2002. Currently ranked No. 9 in the World and seeded number one at the Sunfeast Open, 2006, Martina will be making her maiden appearance in India.
Sania Mirza is no stranger to the Courts and Galleries at Kolkata. Egged on as always by her legion of delirious fans, Sania will lead the Indian charge at the Sunfeast Open 2006. Martina and Sania, however, will be mistaken if they have planned an easy route to the finals. Snapping at their heels will be Sprem who would be trying hard to overcome the disappointment of losing out in the finals of Sunfeast Open last year. The former World No.17 is back with a vengeance and an eye firmly fixed on the crown. This year she has already recorded her career-best performance at Roland Garros reaching the third round with an upset win over No.18 seed Likhovtseva before eventually going down fighting to No.11 seed Venus Williams. Sania has now gained an upper hand over Sprem by defeating her yesterday in straight sets 6-4, 6-2 in the first round of the US Open 2006.
For Ukranian Yuliana Fedak this will be the second visit to India during the year. In February, she played at the Bangalore WTA tournament where she recorded a quarter-final appearance before losing to the eventual winner. Fedak has partnered with both Sania Mirza and Melinda Czink but won’t give space to either in her quest for the maiden WTA title.
Czink is 2005’s culprit when she put paid to the hopes of millions of Indians by defeating Sania Mirza in the pre-quarters in a thrilling three-setter (0-6, 6-4, 6-4). Sania and India will be eagerly seeking sweet revenge should the two meet in the 2006 edition. The recent defeat to Martina Hingis in Dubai is also likely to play on Sania’s mind if the duo charts the expected path into the finals. However, Sania is capable of beating the best on her day, something that each of her opponents in the draw would be aware of.
Waiting in the wings will be the Thai star Tamarine Tansasugarn for whom India is a favourite hunting ground having won the WTA Hyderabad Open in 2003. The Asian star has been a steady performer on the Tour and also has five doubles titles. Not to be ignored are also a handful of youngsters eagerly awaiting their day to prove their mettle. Apart from three wild cards that will be announced soon, the qualifiers that will be held on September 16 and 17 will throw up four more participants.
In the battle between the stars, the real winner is the Indian tennis fan, for whom the opportunity of watching the game’s brightest sparks has come right to the doorstep. As fans wait with bated breath and the girls work harder on their game, the Sunfeast Open 2006 promises a week of high octane tennis served up in style and in the spirit of the game.
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
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Sania Mirza of India celebrates her win over Karolina Sprem of Croatia during their match at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, August 28, 2006. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz
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Sania Mirza of India serves to Karolina Sprem of Croatia during their match at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, August 28, 2006.
US Open: Paes, Sania get seeding in doubles
Leander Paes and Sania Mirza were today seeded sixth and seventh in the men's and women's doubles respectively at the US Open Grand Slam tennis.
Paes and Czech Republic's Martin Damm will take on Czech duo Petr Pala and Robin Vik in the first round.
The Indian star is in the top half of the draw which also features his compatriot and former partner Mahesh Bhupathi.
Bhupathi, partnering Xavier Malisse of Belgium, will come up against Leos Friedl of Czech Republic and Russian Mikahil Younzhny in the opening encounter.
Sania is paired with South African Liezel Huber with whom she won the Bangalore Open title and reached the final in two other WTA Tour events.
The Indo-South Africa combination will launch their campaign against Angela Haynes and Neha Uberoi of the US.
Paes and Czech Republic's Martin Damm will take on Czech duo Petr Pala and Robin Vik in the first round.
The Indian star is in the top half of the draw which also features his compatriot and former partner Mahesh Bhupathi.
Bhupathi, partnering Xavier Malisse of Belgium, will come up against Leos Friedl of Czech Republic and Russian Mikahil Younzhny in the opening encounter.
Sania is paired with South African Liezel Huber with whom she won the Bangalore Open title and reached the final in two other WTA Tour events.
The Indo-South Africa combination will launch their campaign against Angela Haynes and Neha Uberoi of the US.
Monday, August 28, 2006
Sania drops to 54 in the rankings
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Sania Mirza, who is in a wretched form, has struggled this year and is finding it diificult to establish herself at the top level after a dream start last year. Sania Mirza, winner of Best newcomer award for 2005, had a great first year on tour as she leapfrogged from 350+ in the rankings to top 50 last year but has failed to show the same form this year. Sania who was ousted in the 2nd round last week at the Tier IV Forest Hills tournament has 424 ranking points. However Sania was able to hold on to her highest ever doubles ranking of 28 position with 971 points.
Sania has a tough first round encounter at the US open against Karolina Sprem. With this drop, Sania has now dropped three places below her first round US open opponent 51st ranked Sprem.
Sania at the US Open
As the US Open begins tonight (August 28), India's Sania Mirza hopes to regain her form in the last grand slam of the year. Sania Mirza will begin her campaign at the US Open later tonight against 50th ranked Karolina Sprem. The Indian teenage tennis sensation sits four steps below her first round US Open opponent and is hoping to regain her form in the last grand slam of the year.Last year, the US Open proved to be the high point in the career of Sania Mirza. The 19 year old had reached the 4th round of the Open. That capped of a super year for Sania that began with a 3rd round exit at the Australian Open and a second round place at the Wimbledon.
Which in turn saw Sania's singles ranking climb to 31 in the world. She became the toast of the town. But since then, battles with form and injury have seen the ranking drop. After being at ranked 37 at the start of the year and then ranked 41 around the French Open and currently at 54, Sania seems to be losing out.
Expressing his views, Vijay Amritraj said:" Wins and losses come very frequently. We can't monitor every week in and week out. She is a very young girl with lot of good years ahead of her. I think, the most important thing is that she has to stay physically fit to work on her weaknesses in co-ordination with her coach."
This year, Sania begins her US Open campaign with a match up against the marginally higher ranked Karolina Sprem. She will be hoping that the open once again proves lucky as she struggles to get back to top billing.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Sania-Marta pair crashes out of Rogers Cup
Sania Mirza's campaign at the Rogers Cup came to an end after the Indian and her Polish partner Marta Domachowska crashed out of the doubles competition with a 6-3, 2-6, 5-7 loss at the hands of Italian-American pair of Tathiana Garbin and Meilen Tu.
Sania, who had earlier made a first round exit in the singles competiton of the WTA tier I event, and Marta squandered a good start and Tathiana and Meilen were quick to capitalise and rally from behind to seal the match in their favour.
The more then two-hour-long match started off well for the Indo-Polish pair, who broke their opponents thrice on way to winning the first set with ease.
The second set, however, proved to be the turning point match as Sania and Marta lowered their guard, which allowed Tathiana and Meilen to make a remarkable recovery.
The Indo-Polish pair wasted three break points and their serve also let them down as Tathiana and Meilen broke them thrice to take the match into the third set, which was a hard-fought affair.
The two pairs twice exchanged break of serve but Sania and Marta ran out of steam as the fight got tougher and lost the set to bow out of the 1,340,000 dollar event.
Sania, who had earlier made a first round exit in the singles competiton of the WTA tier I event, and Marta squandered a good start and Tathiana and Meilen were quick to capitalise and rally from behind to seal the match in their favour.
The more then two-hour-long match started off well for the Indo-Polish pair, who broke their opponents thrice on way to winning the first set with ease.
The second set, however, proved to be the turning point match as Sania and Marta lowered their guard, which allowed Tathiana and Meilen to make a remarkable recovery.
The Indo-Polish pair wasted three break points and their serve also let them down as Tathiana and Meilen broke them thrice to take the match into the third set, which was a hard-fought affair.
The two pairs twice exchanged break of serve but Sania and Marta ran out of steam as the fight got tougher and lost the set to bow out of the 1,340,000 dollar event.
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Sania crashes out in first round
Sania Mirza made a shocking first round exit from the Rogers Cup, losing to Italian qualifier Alberta Brianti 6-2, 1-6, 2-6, in the WTA 1,340,000 dollar event in Montreal.
The Indian lost her way after winning the first set against the fighting Italian, who was quick to take advantage of Sania's shortcomings and turn the match in her favour and advance into the second round of the tier I event.
Sania got off to a flying start as she ran away with the opening set. However, she was taken by surprise by Alberta in the second set, which turned the tide.
The Hyderabadi teen was once again let down by her poor serve, which allowed the Italian to stage a dramatic comeback. The world number 44 dropped serve and managed to win just a point before Alberta took the match into a third set.
A resurgent Alberta, having got her rhythm back with the second set win, dashed Sania's comeback hopes with a fluent game in the decider.
This was Sania's second successive first round exit after she lost her opening match in the Los Angeles Open last week.
The Indian will now team up with Poland's Marta Domachowska in the doubles competition and face the Italian-American pair of Tathiana Garbin and Meilen Tu today.
The Italian will meet No.14 Katarina Srebotnik from Slovenia, who ousted Dutchwoman Michaella Krajicek 6-3, 7-5.
Nathalie Dechy also rallied to reach the second round, outlasting Israeli qualifier Tzipora Obziler 6-7(3-7), 6-2, 6-1.
The French veteran next faces No.15 seed Maria Kirilenko from Russia, who defeated Jelena Kostanic from Croatia 6-3, 4-6, 6-1.
Mara Santangelo meanwhile rallied to eliminate Austrian Sybille Bammer 6-7(2-7), 6-4, 6-2 and set up a second-round match against No.7 seed Martina Hingis.
The Indian lost her way after winning the first set against the fighting Italian, who was quick to take advantage of Sania's shortcomings and turn the match in her favour and advance into the second round of the tier I event.
Sania got off to a flying start as she ran away with the opening set. However, she was taken by surprise by Alberta in the second set, which turned the tide.
The Hyderabadi teen was once again let down by her poor serve, which allowed the Italian to stage a dramatic comeback. The world number 44 dropped serve and managed to win just a point before Alberta took the match into a third set.
A resurgent Alberta, having got her rhythm back with the second set win, dashed Sania's comeback hopes with a fluent game in the decider.
This was Sania's second successive first round exit after she lost her opening match in the Los Angeles Open last week.
The Indian will now team up with Poland's Marta Domachowska in the doubles competition and face the Italian-American pair of Tathiana Garbin and Meilen Tu today.
The Italian will meet No.14 Katarina Srebotnik from Slovenia, who ousted Dutchwoman Michaella Krajicek 6-3, 7-5.
Nathalie Dechy also rallied to reach the second round, outlasting Israeli qualifier Tzipora Obziler 6-7(3-7), 6-2, 6-1.
The French veteran next faces No.15 seed Maria Kirilenko from Russia, who defeated Jelena Kostanic from Croatia 6-3, 4-6, 6-1.
Mara Santangelo meanwhile rallied to eliminate Austrian Sybille Bammer 6-7(2-7), 6-4, 6-2 and set up a second-round match against No.7 seed Martina Hingis.
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Sania Mirza to play a qualifier
Sania Mirza has been pitted against a qualifier in the women's singles first round of the USD 1340000 Rogers Cup tennis tournament at Montreal, Canada beginning here tomorrow.
The 44th ranked Indian, whose opponents is yet to be decided, will run into 36th ranked Michaella Krajicek of the Netherlands, if advances to the second round of the Tier I WTA tournament.
In the qualifiers, Shikha Uberoi stretched Nichole Pratt of Australia to a three setter before crashing out in the first round.
Shikha lost to the 23 seeded Pratt 2-6 6-3 1-6 failing to qualify for the main draw of 32 players, which has Kim Clijsters as the top seed and Maria Sharapova as the second seed.
The US-based player represents India but her sister Neha, playing under the American flag, advanced to the second round after defeating second seeded Elena V Esnina of Russia 6-3 6-0 in her first round qualifying match.
She will now challenge Maria Fernandes Alves of Brazil to grab a place in the main draw of the prestigious tournament.
Alves was declared winner after her opponent Hana Sromova was retired when the Neha was leading 3-2.
The 44th ranked Indian, whose opponents is yet to be decided, will run into 36th ranked Michaella Krajicek of the Netherlands, if advances to the second round of the Tier I WTA tournament.
In the qualifiers, Shikha Uberoi stretched Nichole Pratt of Australia to a three setter before crashing out in the first round.
Shikha lost to the 23 seeded Pratt 2-6 6-3 1-6 failing to qualify for the main draw of 32 players, which has Kim Clijsters as the top seed and Maria Sharapova as the second seed.
The US-based player represents India but her sister Neha, playing under the American flag, advanced to the second round after defeating second seeded Elena V Esnina of Russia 6-3 6-0 in her first round qualifying match.
She will now challenge Maria Fernandes Alves of Brazil to grab a place in the main draw of the prestigious tournament.
Alves was declared winner after her opponent Hana Sromova was retired when the Neha was leading 3-2.
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Sania makes first round exit in Los Angeles
New Delhi, Aug. 9 (PTI): Sania Mirza charged up late against Jelena Jankovic but was forced out in straight sets in the singles first round of the $ 600,000 JP Morgan Chase Open tennis tournement at Los Angeles.
Sania, who threw away the first set, stretched the second set into a tie-breaker but the world number 28th clinched the match 6-2 7-6 (7/3) in one hour and 23 minutes yesterday.
The 44th ranked Indian, who struggled to hold her serves in the first set, tried to make a comeback in the match by exchanging two break points in the second.
The experienced Jankovic put paid to her plans by dragging the match into the tie-breaker, where she sealed the matter without much effort.
Sania's challenge in the doubles had already ended with her South African partner Liezel Huber and she losing to Ana Ivanovic of Serbia and Maria Kirilenko of Russia in the first round.
Sania, who threw away the first set, stretched the second set into a tie-breaker but the world number 28th clinched the match 6-2 7-6 (7/3) in one hour and 23 minutes yesterday.
The 44th ranked Indian, who struggled to hold her serves in the first set, tried to make a comeback in the match by exchanging two break points in the second.
The experienced Jankovic put paid to her plans by dragging the match into the tie-breaker, where she sealed the matter without much effort.
Sania's challenge in the doubles had already ended with her South African partner Liezel Huber and she losing to Ana Ivanovic of Serbia and Maria Kirilenko of Russia in the first round.
Sania's game has been understood by rivals: Piperno
Mumbai, Aug 9. (PTI): Former India Davis Cup player Enrico Piperno today said Sania Mirza's game has been understood by her rivals after one year on the circuit and the Hyderabad tennis sensation needed to evolve new plans to continue her progress in the women's game at the international level.
"Sania Mirza is a very confident player, which I realised four years ago at Busan Asian Games itself when she was unfazed before taking on her rival Janet Lee, who was 55th in world rankings as compared to Sania at well beyond 600," said the Indian women's Fed Cup coach.
"I feel she has the potential to climb into the top 20, but as has been pointed out by (former India captain) Vijay Amritraj she has chinks in her armour, one of which is her instinctive style of play, like Leander Paes, that has been understood by her rivals and their coaches," Piperno said at a sports seminar here.
Praising the power generated by the Hyderabad lass on her strong suit, forehand, Piperno also pointed out the fact that she needed to improve her serve and become quicker on the court in order to face stronger rivals across the net.
"It was seen in the Fed Cup tie against Australia (the qualifiers for the World group) in the crucial deciding clash when her rival attacked her backhand constantly and Sania could not run around and hit forehands as she would have wanted," Piperno noted at the function organised by the Sports Journalists' Federation of India (SJFI).
"One year on the circuit, and all the coaches have figured her (Sania) out. She has been found wanting (in some aspects). She now needs a senior coach to iron out her deficiencies," Piperno said.
Piperno, however, praised the Indian girl who became the first from the country to win a WTA event in Hyderabad last year.
"Even as a 14-year-old she had tremendous confidence. I once stood across the net when she was very young to play volleys against her and that night my wrist felt sore.
"That was the kind of power she generated on her forehand. I told Mahesh Bhupathi one week later that she hits forehands, which were more powerful than his own and he was a bit upset.
"She is also a tremendous team member and during the Fed Cup tie, when she could not play because her ankle was strapped up, she was there right throught to cheer her teammates," Piperno said.
"I wish she makes it to the top ten and even goes on to win the Grand Slam events," he added.
Harping on men's tennis, Piperno noted that the advent of graphite rackets has changed the game and the Indian players, currently, are unable to match their stronger rivals because they were not physically as powerfully built or as fit as their opponents.
"The awakening has happened and youngsters in the tennis academies are nowadays made to undergo strong physical fitness regimen. The result would be known in four or five years from now," the Kolkata-based Piperno predicted.
"Sania Mirza is a very confident player, which I realised four years ago at Busan Asian Games itself when she was unfazed before taking on her rival Janet Lee, who was 55th in world rankings as compared to Sania at well beyond 600," said the Indian women's Fed Cup coach.
"I feel she has the potential to climb into the top 20, but as has been pointed out by (former India captain) Vijay Amritraj she has chinks in her armour, one of which is her instinctive style of play, like Leander Paes, that has been understood by her rivals and their coaches," Piperno said at a sports seminar here.
Praising the power generated by the Hyderabad lass on her strong suit, forehand, Piperno also pointed out the fact that she needed to improve her serve and become quicker on the court in order to face stronger rivals across the net.
"It was seen in the Fed Cup tie against Australia (the qualifiers for the World group) in the crucial deciding clash when her rival attacked her backhand constantly and Sania could not run around and hit forehands as she would have wanted," Piperno noted at the function organised by the Sports Journalists' Federation of India (SJFI).
"One year on the circuit, and all the coaches have figured her (Sania) out. She has been found wanting (in some aspects). She now needs a senior coach to iron out her deficiencies," Piperno said.
Piperno, however, praised the Indian girl who became the first from the country to win a WTA event in Hyderabad last year.
"Even as a 14-year-old she had tremendous confidence. I once stood across the net when she was very young to play volleys against her and that night my wrist felt sore.
"That was the kind of power she generated on her forehand. I told Mahesh Bhupathi one week later that she hits forehands, which were more powerful than his own and he was a bit upset.
"She is also a tremendous team member and during the Fed Cup tie, when she could not play because her ankle was strapped up, she was there right throught to cheer her teammates," Piperno said.
"I wish she makes it to the top ten and even goes on to win the Grand Slam events," he added.
Harping on men's tennis, Piperno noted that the advent of graphite rackets has changed the game and the Indian players, currently, are unable to match their stronger rivals because they were not physically as powerfully built or as fit as their opponents.
"The awakening has happened and youngsters in the tennis academies are nowadays made to undergo strong physical fitness regimen. The result would be known in four or five years from now," the Kolkata-based Piperno predicted.
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Sania-Huber crash out
NEW DELHI: Sania Mirza, partnering South Africa's Liezel Huber, crashed out of doubles at the J P Morgan Chase Open women's tennis event in Los Angeles after a first round loss to Ana Ivanovic of Serbia and Russia's Maria Kirilenko in straight sets on Tuesday.
Sania and Huber lost 7-6 (2) 6-2 to the wild card entrants of the USD 600,000 Tier II event on the WTA Tour.
The 19-year old Indian had a enjoyed series of good results in doubles recently that included a final appearance in Cincinnati Open and also made it to the quarterfinal of Acura Classic last week.
Sania will take on Jelena Jankovic, World no. 29, of Serbia and Montenegro in the singles first round later on Tuesday.
Sania and Huber lost 7-6 (2) 6-2 to the wild card entrants of the USD 600,000 Tier II event on the WTA Tour.
The 19-year old Indian had a enjoyed series of good results in doubles recently that included a final appearance in Cincinnati Open and also made it to the quarterfinal of Acura Classic last week.
Sania will take on Jelena Jankovic, World no. 29, of Serbia and Montenegro in the singles first round later on Tuesday.
Sania steady at 44 in WTA rankings
The third round exit at the Acura Classic tournament last week in San Diego did not affect Sania Mirza as the Indian tennis ace remained steady at 44th spot in the latest WTA rankings.
Fourth-ranked Asian Sania, who lost to world No 6 Elena Dementieva in Acura Classic, has 467 points off 23 tour matches.
Sania, who partnered with Shenay Perry of the US to make it to the quarterfinals in the doubles event of the tournament, dropped one place to be at 32nd in the doubles rankings.The Hyderabadi girl (971 points from 19 tours) was overtaken by Argentina's Paula Suarez (972 points).
Shikha Uberoi, the next best Indian in WTA circuit, experienced a sharp fall of 13 places to be at 187.
Among men, Indian ace Leander Paes (2505 points) clung on to the 14th spot in the ATP doubles rankings while his former partner Mahesh Bhupathi (1607 points) dropped two places to be at 24th.
Fourth-ranked Asian Sania, who lost to world No 6 Elena Dementieva in Acura Classic, has 467 points off 23 tour matches.
Sania, who partnered with Shenay Perry of the US to make it to the quarterfinals in the doubles event of the tournament, dropped one place to be at 32nd in the doubles rankings.The Hyderabadi girl (971 points from 19 tours) was overtaken by Argentina's Paula Suarez (972 points).
Shikha Uberoi, the next best Indian in WTA circuit, experienced a sharp fall of 13 places to be at 187.
Among men, Indian ace Leander Paes (2505 points) clung on to the 14th spot in the ATP doubles rankings while his former partner Mahesh Bhupathi (1607 points) dropped two places to be at 24th.
Sania has technical flaws but can crack top 10: Amritraj
Sania Mirza needs to correct some technical flaws in her game but the Hyderabadi girl had it in her to crack the top ten in women's rankings, India's tennis legend Vijay Amritraj said today.
"Sania needs to work on some technical aspects of her game to get even better," Amritraj suggested.
He said the 19-year-old knew where she had to get better to take the next big step.
"Sania knows it, her coaches know it and they are working on it," the former tennis player said.
Amritraj was talking informally with reporters here on the sidelines of the launch of the second Delhi Half Marathon to be organised on October 15.
He said the teenager, currently ranked 44th in the world, had the potential to climb much higher on the charts.
"I firmly believe that she can enter the top 10 in women's tennis. She has the game, has time on her side and most importantly, has a strong mind," Amritraj said.
He said it was important that Sania was not put under excess pressure by the Indian media and the public.
"She is doing very well for herself and the only people who can bring her down are us." The former Davis Cup captain said the key for Sania was to become the best tennis player she could possibly be.
"Roger Federer does not think about being the best player in the world. Rather he thinks how he can be the best that he can be and how to keep improving. That is all you can ask of a player," Amritraj said.
Amritraj was not too perturbed about Sania's inconsistent results this year and said it was part of the game.
"Ups and downs are part of the game. She had a wonderful year last year and it is difficult to deliver such results year after year.
"One is never satisfied and wants to improve constantly. Wins and losses will come as one plays more and more," Amritraj, once ranked as high as 16th in the world, said.
He lauded Sania for dealing with the pressure of being a top player in India.
"She has dealt very well with the expectations put on her and has learnt how to behave with the media.
There are other good players coming up like the Uberoi and the Bhambri sisters but Sania still held the torch, Amritraj said.
"If a decade ago, someone had said that we would have an Indian girl in the top 50 in women's tennis, an Indian driving a Formula One car, a world champion in chess and an Indian golfer on the USPGA Tour, most of us would have laughed," he said, "adding it shows how expectations in Indian sport have risen.
"Sania needs to work on some technical aspects of her game to get even better," Amritraj suggested.
He said the 19-year-old knew where she had to get better to take the next big step.
"Sania knows it, her coaches know it and they are working on it," the former tennis player said.
Amritraj was talking informally with reporters here on the sidelines of the launch of the second Delhi Half Marathon to be organised on October 15.
He said the teenager, currently ranked 44th in the world, had the potential to climb much higher on the charts.
"I firmly believe that she can enter the top 10 in women's tennis. She has the game, has time on her side and most importantly, has a strong mind," Amritraj said.
He said it was important that Sania was not put under excess pressure by the Indian media and the public.
"She is doing very well for herself and the only people who can bring her down are us." The former Davis Cup captain said the key for Sania was to become the best tennis player she could possibly be.
"Roger Federer does not think about being the best player in the world. Rather he thinks how he can be the best that he can be and how to keep improving. That is all you can ask of a player," Amritraj said.
Amritraj was not too perturbed about Sania's inconsistent results this year and said it was part of the game.
"Ups and downs are part of the game. She had a wonderful year last year and it is difficult to deliver such results year after year.
"One is never satisfied and wants to improve constantly. Wins and losses will come as one plays more and more," Amritraj, once ranked as high as 16th in the world, said.
He lauded Sania for dealing with the pressure of being a top player in India.
"She has dealt very well with the expectations put on her and has learnt how to behave with the media.
There are other good players coming up like the Uberoi and the Bhambri sisters but Sania still held the torch, Amritraj said.
"If a decade ago, someone had said that we would have an Indian girl in the top 50 in women's tennis, an Indian driving a Formula One car, a world champion in chess and an Indian golfer on the USPGA Tour, most of us would have laughed," he said, "adding it shows how expectations in Indian sport have risen.
Monday, August 07, 2006
Tough draw for Sania
New Delhi: Sania Mirza was handed a tough draw having to face 16th seed Jelena Jankovic in the first round of the J.P. Morgan Chase Open in California.
Sania, currently ranked 44th, will have to pull off a surprise to get the better of the 29th-ranked Serbian in the $600,000 WTA Tier II event.
In case Sania overcomes Jankovic, she would face either Czech Lucie Safarova or Croatia's Jelena Kostanic in the second round.
Serena Williams has been awarded a wild card for the event and the local favourite meets Russian Maria Kirilenko in the first round. Maria Sharapova is the top seed for the tournament.
Meanwhile in doubles, Sania, for the second successive tournament, teams up with South African Liezel Huber and the duo would take on Serbian Ana Ivanovic and Maria Kirilenko in the first round.
Sania, currently ranked 44th, will have to pull off a surprise to get the better of the 29th-ranked Serbian in the $600,000 WTA Tier II event.
In case Sania overcomes Jankovic, she would face either Czech Lucie Safarova or Croatia's Jelena Kostanic in the second round.
Serena Williams has been awarded a wild card for the event and the local favourite meets Russian Maria Kirilenko in the first round. Maria Sharapova is the top seed for the tournament.
Meanwhile in doubles, Sania, for the second successive tournament, teams up with South African Liezel Huber and the duo would take on Serbian Ana Ivanovic and Maria Kirilenko in the first round.
Saturday, August 05, 2006
Sania loses in doubles quarters
Sania Mirza and South African partner Liezel Huber crashed out of the doubles competition at the WTA Acura Classic after losing to German Anna-Lena Groenefeld and USA's Meghann Shaughnessy in the quarterfinal.
Sania and Liezel, seeded eighth at the event, went down in straight sets 6-2, 7-5 against the fourth seeded German-American pair.
Groenefeld and Shaughnessy will now face top seeds American Lisa Raymond and Samantha Stosur of Australia for a place in the final of the San Diego hardcourt tournament.
The victors, who had a bye in the first round and had an easy second round victory, kept up their form to wrap up the first set in convincing fashion.
However, Sania and Huber gave their more fancied opponents a tough run in the second set before faltering at the end.
Sania and Liezel, seeded eighth at the event, went down in straight sets 6-2, 7-5 against the fourth seeded German-American pair.
Groenefeld and Shaughnessy will now face top seeds American Lisa Raymond and Samantha Stosur of Australia for a place in the final of the San Diego hardcourt tournament.
The victors, who had a bye in the first round and had an easy second round victory, kept up their form to wrap up the first set in convincing fashion.
However, Sania and Huber gave their more fancied opponents a tough run in the second set before faltering at the end.
Friday, August 04, 2006
Sania out of singles, enters doubles quarters at San Diego
Sania Mirza's singles campaign in the Acura Classic ended with a 2-6, 6-3, 3-6 loss to sixth seed Elena Dementieva but the Indian teen continued her good doubles form and, partnering South African Liezel Huber, entered the quarterfinals of the 1.3 million dollar WTA Tier I event at San Diego, California.
Sania and Huber got past the Russian-American duo of Anna Chakvetadze and Jill Craybas 7-5, 6-2 to move into the next round.
In her rain-delayed singles match Sania was off to a disastrous start in front of a packed Grandstand as Dementieva won the first five games of the opening set.The Indian gave her fans something to cheer about when she staged a comeback by breaking Dementieva and holding her own serve to make the score 5-2.
However, the mini-rally proved to be a flash in the pan as the fourth-seeded Russian held serve in the next game to win the set.
The next set saw an improved performance by the Indian as she broke Dementieva in the second game for a 2-0 lead. The Hyderabadi teen maintained her momentum and saved a break point in the 10th game courtesy an unforced error by the Russian.
Sania then hit a beautifully angled volley winner that bounced just out of the Russian's reach to save a second break point. The Indian then hit her second ace of the match to claim the second set.
In the third set, which saw five service breaks, Dementieva took a 5-3 lead by breaking Sania's serve at love in the eighth game.
Dementieva, who hit a total of 10 double faults, improved her serve in the decider to advance to the quarterfinals.
The world number six has now beaten Sania in all the three matches they have faced each other. Dementieva, who also ousted Sania from this year's Wimbledon, will meet fifth seed Swiss Patty Schnyder in the quarterfinal.
Meanwhile, in the doubles match eighth seeds Sania and Liezel were tested in the opening set but in the end proved to be too good for there unseeded rivals.
The Indo-African pair, who had to face a stiff challenge in the first set, were at their aggressive best in the second set and did not put a foot wrong on their way to clinching the match.
Sania and Liezel wil now take on the winners of the match between the German-American pair of Anna-lena Groenefeld and Meghann Shaughnessy and the US duo of Ashley Harkleroad and Vania King.
Sania and Huber got past the Russian-American duo of Anna Chakvetadze and Jill Craybas 7-5, 6-2 to move into the next round.
In her rain-delayed singles match Sania was off to a disastrous start in front of a packed Grandstand as Dementieva won the first five games of the opening set.The Indian gave her fans something to cheer about when she staged a comeback by breaking Dementieva and holding her own serve to make the score 5-2.
However, the mini-rally proved to be a flash in the pan as the fourth-seeded Russian held serve in the next game to win the set.
The next set saw an improved performance by the Indian as she broke Dementieva in the second game for a 2-0 lead. The Hyderabadi teen maintained her momentum and saved a break point in the 10th game courtesy an unforced error by the Russian.
Sania then hit a beautifully angled volley winner that bounced just out of the Russian's reach to save a second break point. The Indian then hit her second ace of the match to claim the second set.
In the third set, which saw five service breaks, Dementieva took a 5-3 lead by breaking Sania's serve at love in the eighth game.
Dementieva, who hit a total of 10 double faults, improved her serve in the decider to advance to the quarterfinals.
The world number six has now beaten Sania in all the three matches they have faced each other. Dementieva, who also ousted Sania from this year's Wimbledon, will meet fifth seed Swiss Patty Schnyder in the quarterfinal.
Meanwhile, in the doubles match eighth seeds Sania and Liezel were tested in the opening set but in the end proved to be too good for there unseeded rivals.
The Indo-African pair, who had to face a stiff challenge in the first set, were at their aggressive best in the second set and did not put a foot wrong on their way to clinching the match.
Sania and Liezel wil now take on the winners of the match between the German-American pair of Anna-lena Groenefeld and Meghann Shaughnessy and the US duo of Ashley Harkleroad and Vania King.
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Sania breezes past Srebotnik
Sania Mirza upset 15th seed Katarina Srebotnik of Slovenia in the second round of the Acura Classic in San Diego on Wednesday.
The Indian ace beat Srebotnik 6-3, 7-6 to set up a third round clash with Russia's Elena Dementieva. Fourth seeded Demetieva, who had beaten Sania's at the Wimbledon first round, took down American Ashley Harkleroad 6-2, 6-2.
Defending champion Mary Pierce was made to struggle in her first competitive match for six months before progressing to the third round. The 31-year-old sixth seed, who has not played since February after tearing ligaments in her foot, edged past Austria's Sybille Bammer 6-1, 6-7, 7-6
Third seed Nadia Petrova was not so fortunate in her first match in over two months when she was upset 6-3, 6-7, 6-2 by fellow Russian Anna Chakvetadze.
Top seed Kim Clijsters crushed Australia's Samantha Stosur 6-1, 6-2 in the second round.
Pierce struggled with her form much of the day, throwing away three match points with forehand errors in the second set tiebreaker, which she lost 9-7.
But the two-times Grand Slam champion stood strong in the third set against the left-handed Austrian, mixing heavy blows from the baseline with occasional net rushes.
"I got a lot of tennis in," said Pierce. "Three sets, two tiebreakers, being ahead, being down. It's a good start. The most important thing is I know I can play without hurting myself. I feel like there's not much missing from my game."
Pierce reached two Grand Slam finals last year at the French and US Opens and, despite her injury, said she still has some major goals left.
"The only thing I haven't done is been ranked number one, made the final of Wimbledon or win it, and I don't have an Olympic medal," Pierce said. "Those are the three things I want."
Petrova injured her hip prior to Roland Garros and has not played since her first-round exit there to Japan's Akiko Morigami and looked rusty against the 19-year-old Chakvetadze.
"I felt absolutely out of it," said Petrova. "The ball was just flying by me. I also had a tough time deciding which shot I should choose.
"I didn't know whether to go crosscourt, down the line, where I should serve. She played okay, but if I played at my level, it would have been much different."
Chakvetadze will play another teenager, Serbia's Ana Ivanovic, who destroyed American qualifier Amy Frazier 6-3, 6-2.
Russia's Vera Zvonareva advanced when China's Peng Shuai retired with heat illness. Peng had won the first set 6-3 and was two points from winning the match in the tiebreaker before she lost the second set 7-6, (7-5) and then retired.
Zvonareva will now face second seed Maria Sharapova.
Flavia Pennetta of Italy, seeded 12, overcame American Jamea Jackson 6-2, 7-6 and will play eighth seed Martina Hingis.
It is the first time since the tournament began in 1984 there are no American women in the third round.
Lindsay Davenport and the Williams sisters withdrew before the event with injuries.
The Indian ace beat Srebotnik 6-3, 7-6 to set up a third round clash with Russia's Elena Dementieva. Fourth seeded Demetieva, who had beaten Sania's at the Wimbledon first round, took down American Ashley Harkleroad 6-2, 6-2.
Defending champion Mary Pierce was made to struggle in her first competitive match for six months before progressing to the third round. The 31-year-old sixth seed, who has not played since February after tearing ligaments in her foot, edged past Austria's Sybille Bammer 6-1, 6-7, 7-6
Third seed Nadia Petrova was not so fortunate in her first match in over two months when she was upset 6-3, 6-7, 6-2 by fellow Russian Anna Chakvetadze.
Top seed Kim Clijsters crushed Australia's Samantha Stosur 6-1, 6-2 in the second round.
Pierce struggled with her form much of the day, throwing away three match points with forehand errors in the second set tiebreaker, which she lost 9-7.
But the two-times Grand Slam champion stood strong in the third set against the left-handed Austrian, mixing heavy blows from the baseline with occasional net rushes.
"I got a lot of tennis in," said Pierce. "Three sets, two tiebreakers, being ahead, being down. It's a good start. The most important thing is I know I can play without hurting myself. I feel like there's not much missing from my game."
Pierce reached two Grand Slam finals last year at the French and US Opens and, despite her injury, said she still has some major goals left.
"The only thing I haven't done is been ranked number one, made the final of Wimbledon or win it, and I don't have an Olympic medal," Pierce said. "Those are the three things I want."
Petrova injured her hip prior to Roland Garros and has not played since her first-round exit there to Japan's Akiko Morigami and looked rusty against the 19-year-old Chakvetadze.
"I felt absolutely out of it," said Petrova. "The ball was just flying by me. I also had a tough time deciding which shot I should choose.
"I didn't know whether to go crosscourt, down the line, where I should serve. She played okay, but if I played at my level, it would have been much different."
Chakvetadze will play another teenager, Serbia's Ana Ivanovic, who destroyed American qualifier Amy Frazier 6-3, 6-2.
Russia's Vera Zvonareva advanced when China's Peng Shuai retired with heat illness. Peng had won the first set 6-3 and was two points from winning the match in the tiebreaker before she lost the second set 7-6, (7-5) and then retired.
Zvonareva will now face second seed Maria Sharapova.
Flavia Pennetta of Italy, seeded 12, overcame American Jamea Jackson 6-2, 7-6 and will play eighth seed Martina Hingis.
It is the first time since the tournament began in 1984 there are no American women in the third round.
Lindsay Davenport and the Williams sisters withdrew before the event with injuries.
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Sania upsets former world no. 11 at San Diego
Sania Mirza showed signs of her fine form with a straight-set victory over former world no. 11 Meghann Shaughnessy in the first round of the USD 1.3 million Acura Classic WTA Tour event in San Diego, California.
Sania, whose ranking has slipped to 44, posted a crisp 6-3 6-1 over Shaughnessy, who has four career titles to her credit, to sail into the second round of the US hard court event on Tuesday.
The 19-year old Indian next plays Katarina Srebotnik of Slovakia in the second round later today.
Sania, whose ranking has slipped to 44, posted a crisp 6-3 6-1 over Shaughnessy, who has four career titles to her credit, to sail into the second round of the US hard court event on Tuesday.
The 19-year old Indian next plays Katarina Srebotnik of Slovakia in the second round later today.
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