Elena-Maria defeats Sania Mirza and Zheng Jie

Elena-Maria secured a 6-4, 5-7, 10-8 win in the exhibition match that lasted almost two hours.

Elena-Maria started the match strongly and were heading for an easy win in the first set after taking a 5-2 lead but Sania and Zheng Jie decided to make it interesting for the fans.

The Asian pair broke Elena's serve to reduce the deficit to 3-5 before making a comeback from 0-40 down in the ninth game to stay in the set at 4-5.

However, Maria ended a possible comeback by winning her service game to secure the first set 6-4.

Sania-Zheng Jie drew level when they took the second set 7-5. However, Elena-Maria were the better pair on court yesterday and secured the match by winning the decider, a tie-break, 10-8. 

In the singles matches today, Zheng Jie will play Maria in the first tie with the Russian having a slight edge while Elena will be the player to beat when she plays Sania in the second tie.
http://saniam.blogspot.com

Sania Mirza, Maria Kirilenko, Elena Dementieva and Zheng Jie sign autographs

http://saniam.blogspot.com

Sania Mirza, Maria Kirilenko, Elena Dementieva and Zheng Jie sign autographs for fans at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur

Sania mirza to lead charge

Malaysia  : Sania and China's Zheng Jie will play against 2004 Athens Olympics gold medallist and World No 5 Elena Dementieva of Russia and her compatriot Maria Kirilenko in three exhibition matches over the next two days.

Sania is not a newcomer to Malaysian shores as she was a regular in ITF junior tournaments here several years ago and she is delighted to be back.

"I've been to Malaysia on many occasions as a junior and for holidays a couple of years ago.

"It's one of my favourite places to be away from tennis, a home away from home."

Elena said the Showdown of Champions is the kind of publicity needed to promote women's tennis.

"This is the first time I'm playing here. I've heard a lot of nice things about Malaysia and I'm going to enjoy playing in the Showdown of Champions," said Elena.

Zheng Jie said her focus is on thrilling the crowd and playing her best tennis.

Despite not saying much, the stylish Maria is expected to be a crowd puller when the event begins at Malawati Stadium in Shah Alam today.

The doubles match between Sania-Zheng Jie and Elena-Maria at 7.30pm today is the curtain raiser.

Maria will play Zheng Jie in the first singles at 8.30pm tomorrow followed by the much anticipated Sania-Elena clash.

http://saniam.blogspot.com

Sania Mirza pose

Tennis players Zheng Jie of China (L), Elena Dementieva of Russia (2nd L), Sania Mirza of India (2nd R) and Maria Kirilenko of Russia pose ahead of their exhibition match in Kuala Lumpur December 18, 2009
http://saniam.blogspot.com

Sania mirza has a dream to fullfill

Mirza now has a dream of breaking into the top 20 of the WTA standings next year. Mirza was planning to quit the scene but the inclusion of the mixed doubles at the 2012 London Olympics has motivated her to continue playing in a bid to end her career on a high.

Come this weekend, Mirza is set to have some fun as she joins Russians Maria Kirilenko, Elena Dementiva and China's Zheng Jie at the Showdown of Champions at the Malawati Stadium in Shah Alam.

"I've been to Malaysia before. I’ve visited Penang and KL. I played several junior tournaments and enjoyed vacations with my family in Malaysia. It's nice to be back," said Mirza.

"Many things have happened throughout my career and I guess it is fair for me to aim to be in the top 20 by next year. The only way to the top is through hard work and by spending more hours on the courts," she added.

http://saniam.blogspot.com

Sania mirza @ a lingree show

Sania mirza @ a lingree show

Sania mirza want Gold medal in london olympics

Inclusion of mixed doubles event in the London Olympics has come as fresh motivation for Sania Mirza to continue playing and the Indian tennis ace feels it would be best opportunity for India to win a medal.

The International Olympic Committee had recently given its nod to the mixed doubles event for the 2012 Summer Games.

"I am excited because we probably have the best chance of getting a medal in mixed doubles. I think that has put a halt to my retirement plans now," Sania said.

The Hyderabadi though parried a question on who she would like to partner out of two legendary Indian players -- Leander Paes or Mahesh Bhupathi.

"I'm very lucky to be (playing) in this generation, to have the opportunity to be around Mahesh and Leander, two of the best doubles players of all times. I am very excited.
http://saniam.blogspot.com

Sania mirza walks the ramp

Tennis star sania mirza at a fashion show

http://saniam.blogspot.com

Interview : Sania mirza for olympics?

Courtesy : ESPN STAR

Mixed doubles has been added to the 2012 London Olympics tennis programme but Sania Mirza is not thinking about it as yet.

By Bhagya Ayyavoo

After clinching her first Major title at the 2009 Australian Open in mixed doubles, Sania Mirza reveals to MobileESPN that she’ll team up with former doubles No. 1 Virginia Ruano Pascual. The Spaniard has 11 Grand Slams to her name, including 10 in women’s doubles. Excerpts from an exclusive interview.

Bhagya Ayyavoo: How will you remember the 2009 season, professionally as well as personally?

Sania Mirza: For Indian tennis, it was an extremely good year. Mahesh and I won the Australian Open mixed doubles title while Leander won two Grand Slams in doubles. Yuki Bhambri won a junior Grand Slam and we also reached the World Group in Davis Cup after several years. Personally, I am happy with the way things have gone for me despite some injury issues. I won my maiden Grand Slam title and finished in the top 100 for the fifth consecutive year.

BA: Which was the most memorable and satisfying match that you played this season?

SM: Beating world No.12, Marion Bartoli in Osaka in singles and winning the final of the Australian Open in mixed were memorable for me.

BA: You bagged the Lexington Challenger title this year, that too coming right after your engagement. How important was that success?

SM: Every title is important in building one’s confidence level and since it came right after my engagement, it helped in putting a stop to baseless rumours that claimed I had lost focus on tennis.

BA: With so many teenagers emerging and many other top players coming out of retirements, what will your philosophy be on your seventh year on the tour?

SM: The philosophy has been the same all through my tennis career - to keep working hard and to go on improving.

BA: Given the gruelling nature of the tour, will you be selective with the tournaments you play in 2010?

SM: Yes, I may need to be selective.

BA: Fitness is obviously key to your game. Do your injuries or your propensity to get injured haunt you at the back of your mind when you play top-10 players?

SM: Injuries are part of a sportsperson’s life. If you are injured, it will affect your game irrespective of whether you are playing a top-10 player or a top-200 player.

BA: In spite of you not being in the Top 20 you’re always a feared opponent. Does it make it any tougher or easier for you on court?

SM: I don’t look at it that way. When I enter the court, I always think positively and believe I have a chance to win - whether I am playing a top-20 player or a rank outsider makes no difference.

BA: Some say, one can’t prepare to play a top-20 player until you’re in the Top 30. How true is that in your case?

SM: For me, ranking is just a number and I believe whoever plays well on that particular day will be the winner.

BA: Speaking of Grand Slams, what are the odds for you to repeat the 2005 US Open Round 4 performance?
SM: I am a positive person and I think I can do well in future as well.

BA: You reached your career-best 27 in 2007, and you have always been quoted as a top-30 player. Now, 58 on the WTA singles list, have you set yourself some target for next year?

SM: My goal is always to work hard and to go on improving. If I can stay injury-free, there is no reason why I cannot better my ranking.

BA: Former India No.1 Nirupama Vaidyanathan made a short comeback at the Pune ITF in November this year. Do you think that will help India, at a time when there’s no one to support you at the top?

SM: It’s a great achievement by Niru and I feel very happy for her. However, it is disappointing that no new players seem to have emerged in Indian women’s tennis for a long time now.

BA: What do you enjoy most and least about life on the Tour? And how do you think that will change post engagement?

SM: I enjoy playing tennis and that’s what keeps me going. The travel is tiresome.

BA: You had reasonable success in the doubles events with Francesca Schiavone and Chia Jung Chuang this season. What’s the plan for 2010?

SM: I will be playing with Virginia Ruano Pascual in the Australian Open and if we do well, we’ll continue to play together.

BA: With the 2012 Olympics fast approaching, do you have any London dreams, especially that’s a venue where you will have a lot of support?

SM: 2012 is still a long way off.

BA: Now that you’re engaged, are you happy that the link-up stories and other rumours have stopped? 

SM: Yes. But after a point, the stories had become so ridiculous that they had stopped affecting me.

BA: You certainly have many more years to go, but have you ever thought of life beyond that?

SM: I would like to remain associated with tennis after my retirement and want to give back to the game that has given me so much in life. Maybe, I would get into coaching.

http://saniam.blogspot.com

Sania Mirza goes to Australia with Virginia Ruano

Sania Mirza will pair up with former doubles number one Virginia Ruano Pascual of Spain in the Australian Open next month.

Sania had reasonable success in the doubles events with Francesca Schiavone and Chia Jung Chuang this season but the 23-year-old will now team up with Pascual, who has 11 Grand Slams to her name, including 10 in doubles.

"I will be playing with Virginia Ruano Pascual in the Australian Open and if we do well, we'll continue to play together," Sania said.

Sania, who won the 2009 Australian Open mixed doubles title combining with Mahesh Bhupathi, said the season gone by has been extremely good as she finished inside the top 100 for the five successive year.

"For Indian tennis, it was an extremely good year.

http://saniam.blogspot.com

Sania mirza - new challenges ahead in 2010

AFTER a roller- coaster ride in the season gone by, Sania Mirza is looking for a fresh start in 2010.

Currently ranked 58 on the WTA computer, the highlight of her year was not in singles, but winning the mixed doubles title at the Australian Open with Mahesh Bhupathi.But Sania remains unfazed

when asked about the challenges ahead.

" I am reasonably satisfied at finishing my fifth consecutive year in the top 100. Apart from my wrist that troubled me occasionally, I think I am right now in my best physical shape ever and that actually helped me to stay in the top- 60," Sania told MAIL TODAY on Monday.

A lot of people are wondering if Sania can again scale the peaks or will be content to settle down with fiance Sohrab next year.

" I am feeling pretty confident of using my past experience in improving my ranking during the 2010 season. As long as I am playing professionally, tennis will always remain my top priority," said Sania, putting to rest all speculation about her future.

Sania is working a lot on her fitness and gearing up for the grind ahead. Apart from the WTA Tour events and the Grand Slams, she is fully focussed on doing well at the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games.

" The Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games are very important events for me. And I'm excitedly looking forward to playing in them," says Sania.
.
http://saniam.blogspot.com

Sania survived 2009 with pain killers

Sania Mirza had a one constant in 2009; her bottled companion of pain-killers. It was that kind of a season. Still, the 23-year-old Hyderabadi, who started the year at 101 and finished at 58, was happy to be competing.

"After sitting out for almost seven months last year it was a relief to be out there again," she said. "But it wasn’t easy. I played in about 19 tournaments this year, and half of them were with the help of painkillers. There were times when in a period of 24 hours I was taking an unimaginable number of pain-killers and even then it wasn’t like I was playing without pain. Still, it was a good year, hugely challenging and a great learning experience."

What Sania refuses to acknowledge just yet, is the side-effects of the medication, even though she has already swallowed the bitter pill of physical and mental lethargy. She managed to get on court and for most part the pain had been blocked, but she wasn’t the same player. The edge was decidedly missing as was so obvious in later stages of tournaments in the summer and the hardcourt season.

"The truth is that I came back from a career threatening injury and the fact is that I have a painful wrist that needs to be managed," Sania said of her right wrist that went under the knife in Miami last summer. "I started the year with no expectations and a huge amount of pressure. I like pressure and mostly I perform well under pressure. If I hadn’t done reasonably well in my first few weeks my ranking could have dropped out of the top-200. That would’ve been a long climb back."

The key to Sania’s 2010 season will be in how she applies the lessons of last year. Most importantly, she has shown that she can manage her injury and handle the excruciating pain that’s not only part of the soreness of the wrist, but also part of her treatment, but there’s only so much any player, however gifted, can push and punish her body. Sania will have to pick her tournaments carefully and balance her schedule. She has a long and busy year ahead with the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games scheduled for the end of the year. Her task becomes doubly tough as the calendar eats into the off-season.

Sania’s management team has ensured she has used her off-season well, flying in Australian trainer Len Chong for a three-week stint in Hyderabad. Chong worked on strengthening her wrist, after the big-hitting pro received intensive treatment in November. On Thursday, she joins Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna in Mumbai for a two-week camp where she will work with American coach Scott Davidoff and South African trainer Shyamal Vallabhjee before flying to Kuala Lumpur for an exhibition event.

"I’ve been training for a month now," Sania said. "I’m pain free even though I’m prepared for the fact that the pressures of matchplay tell differently on your body. The focus of my training has been ‘fitter, faster and stronger’ and that’s the kind of year I’m hoping to have. I have said for sometime now that I like the way I’m hitting the ball. I’m a better player, more experienced and more confident."

Sania begins 2010 with two $200,000 in Auckland and Hobart, after which she will head out to Melbourne for the year’s opening Grand Slam, the Australian Open, beginning January 18.

http://saniam.blogspot.com

Sizzling Sania Mirza in action

http://saniam.blogspot.com

Sania Mirza remains static

Sania Mirza was static on both the singles and doubles rankings charts released by WTA Monday.

The Hyderabad girl was at No.58 on the singles list while the doubles table had her holding on to last week’s No.37.

The slide continued for Somdev Dev Varman who slipped a further three places, after a drop of two spots had seen him finish last week at No.124, to be at No.127.

Meanwhile, Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes, the doubles specialists, too, hung on to their positions from the last week — No.7 and 8 respectively.

http://saniam.blogspot.com

Sania to express solidarity against terror

Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, lyricist Javed Akhtar, singer Shreya Ghoshal and tennis player Sania Mirza are among prominent personalities who will gather at the historic India Gate here tomorrow to express the nation's solidarity against terror.

The 60-minute programme -- A Nation In Solidarity Against Terror -- is being organised by the Ministry of Home Affairs with a view to sending a strong message that India has the capacity, courage and confidence to overcome the threat.

"India has at regular intervals been the target of terror attacks sponsored by external terrorist organisations. The terror attacks were meant to weaken the resolve of the country and challenge its capacity to remain a peaceful and democratic Nation," an official statement said here today.

It said that November 29 is symbolic, since it was the day when the terrorist siege in Mumbai ended last year.
http://saniam.blogspot.com

Sanim jumps

Sania Mirza's doubles title victory at MPS Group Championship has catapulted her nine places to the 59th position in the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) rankings released on Monday.

The 22-year-old Indian's title win in Florida on Sunday was her first with Chuang Chia-Jung of Chinese Taipei (Taiwan).

Chuang jumped three places to be at the 14th spot. The two also reached the semi-final at Miami last week.

Sania's singles rankings, however, remains unchanged at 100.

http://saniam.blogspot.com

Sania Mirza moved up

In the WTA Tour rankings Sania Mirza moved up three spots to no.58 in the world courtesy of her semi-final run at the HP Japan Women's Open in Osaka last week. Sania also moved up a few spots to no. 36 in the doubles ranking.

http://saniam.blogspot.com

Sania Mirza's moment of loss

http://saniam.blogspot.com
Sania Mirza of India reacts after missing a shot against Francesca Schiavone of Italy during their semi-final match at the Japan Women's Open Tennis in Osaka,western Japan, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009. Schiavone won 6-2,6-1

Sania Mirza in action

http://saniam.blogspot.com
Sania Mirza returns to Francesca Schiavone of Italy during their semi-final match at the Japan Women's Open Tennis in Osaka, western Japan, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009. Schiavone won 6-2, 6-1.

Sayonara Japan - Sania mirza

Sania Mirza's run at the WTA Japan Open ended with a crushing 2-6, 1-6 mauling in the semi-final against world number 26 and fourth seed Francesca Schiavone in Osaka, on Saturday.

Sania's defeat meant that the Indian has now lost all three encounters against her Italian friend.

It was for the third time in the season that Sania had made it to the singles semi-final of an WTA event.

The Indian earned 130 ranking points and US $10,200 as prize money for her brilliant effort through the week in the US $220,000 hard court event.

Sania could not play the way she did against Peer and Bartoli, who had retired mid-way due to a shoulder injury, and lost her semi-final within an hour.

Sania saved a breakpoint in the first set but the Italian still broke her twice to race away with the lead.

The second set was again a lop-sided affair with Schiavone breaking Sania twice as she quickly wrapped up the one-sided match.

http://saniam.blogspot.com

Francesca Schiavone of Italy celebrates her win

http://saniam.blogspot.com
Francesca Schiavone of Italy celebrates her 6-2, 6-1 win over Sania Mirza of India during their semi-final match at the Japan Women's Open Tennis in Osaka, western Japan, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009. Schiavone will face Samantha Stosur of Australia in Sunday's final match

Sania Mirza reacts after missing a shot

http://saniam.blogspot.com
Sania Mirza reacts after missing a shot against Francesca Schiavone of Italy during their semi-final match at the Japan Women's Open Tennis in Osaka,western Japan, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009.Schiavone won 6-2,6-1

Marion Bartoli of France returns to Sania Mirza

http://saniam.blogspot.com

Marion Bartoli of France returns to Sania Mirza of India during the quarterfinal match at the Japan Women's Open Tennis in Osaka, western Japan, Friday, Oct. 16, 2009. Bartoli retired from the match in the second set due to injury.

Sania Mirza of India returns a shot against Marion Bartol

http://saniam.blogspot.com

Sania Mirza of India returns a shot against Marion Bartoli of France during their quarter-final match at the Japan Women's Open Tennis in Osaka, western Japan, Friday, Oct. 16, 2009. Bartoli retired from the match in the second set due to injury.

Sania Mirza of India reacts during her quarter final match against Marion

http://saniam.blogspot.com

Sania Mirza of India reacts during her quarter final match against Marion Bartoli of France at the Japan Women's Open Tennis in Osaka, western Japan, Friday, Oct. 16, 2009. Bartoli retired from the match in the second set due to injury

Sania gets a hug

http://saniam.blogspot.com

Marion Bartoli of France hugs with Sania Mirza, left, of India after their quarter-final match at the Japan Women's Open Tennis in Osaka, western Japan, Friday, Oct. 16, 2009. Bartoli retired from the match in the second set due to her injury.

Marion Bartoli of France

http://saniam.blogspot.com

Marion Bartoli of France,Bartoli retired from the match in the second set due to injury.

Marion Bartoli of France holds her right arm

http://saniam.blogspot.com

Marion Bartoli of France holds her right arm during her quarter final match against Sania Mirza of India at the Japan Women's Open Tennis in Osaka, western Japan, Friday, Oct. 16, 2009. Bartoli retired from the match in the second set due to injury.

Sania Mirza in Japan Open semifinals

Sania Mirza today advanced to the Japan Open semifinals after her second-seeded French opponent Marion Bartoli retired midway through the quarterfinal due to a shoulder injury with the Indian leading 6-4 2-0 here.

With Bartoli hampered by a right shoulder injury, Sania controlled the proceedings in the hour-long match, although the Indian said she did not play all that well.

"You always like to win match point, so it was unfortunate but I felt I was playing well and was in control.

At the end of the day, a win is a win. The big thing for me is that I was outplaying a top 15 player, who was in good form," Sania said.

Sania will next play fourth seed Francesca Schiavone, who didn't even need to take the court as her seventh seeded rival Melinda Czink withdrew due to a right foot injury.

http://saniam.blogspot.com

Sania Mirza and Vania King suffers shock exit

Second seed Sania Mirza and Vania King suffered a shock straight-set defeat at the hands of unseeded French pair of Julie Coin and Mathilde to crash out of the doubles event of the Japan Open in Osaka on Thursday.

The Indo-American pair lost lost 4-6, 2-6 in the quarter-final of the USD 220,000 WTA hard court event after battling for one hour and seven minutes.

Sania got 70 ranking points for making the last-eight pair stage and will share USD 1650 prize money with Vania.

To survive in the event, Sania will have to beat World number 13 and second seed Marion Bartoli of France in the singles competition on Friday.

Sania and Vania had plenty of chances against their rivals in the both the sets but could not cash in on.

They dropped serve twice in the first set and missed equal number of chances on their opponents' serve.

They saved five breakpoints and were successful in breaking the French pair once but that was not enough.

The second set too saw the second seeds missing many a chances as they squandered three breakpoints and dropped their own serve thrice.

http://saniam.blogspot.com

Sania Mirza beats Viktoriya Kutuzova

http://saniam.blogspot.com

Sania Mirza became the first player to reach the quarter-finals of the Japan Open Wednesday, beating Viktoriya Kutuzova of Ukraine in straight sets.

Sania Mirza sets date with Bartoli

Sania Mirza sailed into the Japan Open quarter finals after notching up a straight-set win over Ukraine’s Viktoriya Kutuzova here on Wednesday.

Sania defeated Kutuzova 6-4, 6-3 in one hour and 23 minutes to set up a tough quarter final against second-seeded Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli.

Both Sania and Viktoriya served badly in the opening set, committing five double faults each.

But Sania managed to convert a crucial break point to go 1-0 up.

The Indian was more in control in the second set and she cut back on her service errors, saving three of the four break points she faced.

Viktoriya, however, continued to serve poorly and was broken thrice by the Indian, who was also helped by the three double faults the Ukrainian committed.

The Indian goes into the match against world No. 12 Bartoli with a 1-0 head-to-head record as the Hyderabadi had beaten her in the 2005 US Open.

http://saniam.blogspot.com

Sania Mirza vs Shahar Peer

http://saniam.blogspot.com

Sania Mirza sent out a strong signal of intent when she eliminated fifth seed Shahar Peer of Israel in the first round of the Japan Open women's tennis tournament on Monday.

Sania back in action with a win

Sania Mirza's camaraderie with frequent doubles partner Shahar Peer did not come in her way to overcoming the fifth seeded Israeli in three sets to reach the second round of the Japan Open tennis tournament here today.

With two players fully aware of each other's game, it was an intense one hour 52 minute tug-of-war, at the end of which Sania finished on the right side with a hard-earned 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 win.

The Indian will now face Viktoriya Kutuzova of Ukraine, who had won the first set 6-2 before her opponent Maria Kirilenko of Russia retired.

Sania broke her opponents twice but was broken herself thrice as the Indian lost the first set.

In the second set, however, Sania saved all three break points to draw parity and maintained her superiority in the decider to emerge winner.

http://saniam.blogspot.com

Sania rise in singles rankings

In the WTA list, Sania Mirza rose by four rungs to 61 in singles but her doubles ranking was intact at 38.

http://saniam.blogspot.com

Sania Mirza crashes out of China Open Qualifying

Sania Mirza's trip to China runs the risk of being an incredibly short one as she was knocked out of the first round of qualifying at the hands of Chinese wildcard recipient Chun-Mei Ji 3-6, 6-2, 1-6.

Ji, ranked more than 500 places below Mirza in the WTA Tour rankings at 580 dominated the match, creating 13 break opportunities on the Mirza serve, and taking 6 of these to wrap up a rather comfortable win in the end.

The final set was especially one sided as Ji dropped just 5 points on her own serve and allowed Mirza only 7 on her own to romp to an impressive win.

Mirza will compete in her first round match in the main draw of the women's doubles tomorrow. She is partnering with Romanian youngster Sorana Cirstea, and will take on the pair of Agnes Szavay and Roberta Vinci.

http://saniam.blogspot.com

Sania makes main draw of Pan Pacific Open

Shrugging off her disappointing US Open campaign, Sania Mirza today qualified for the prestigious USD two million Pan Pacific Open after recording a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 win over Victoriya Kutuzova of Russia here today.The seventh seed Indian was down by a set and trailing 1-3 in the second set at one stage but got her elements together to beat her rival in two hours and 20 minutes.

Sania had defeated local girl Rika Fujiwara of Japan 6-4, 6-0 yesterday.
http://saniam.blogspot.com

Sania Mirza lose a thriller

Sania Mirza crashed out of the women’s doubles event after losing a thriller.Fourteenth seeds Sania and Francesca Schiavone of Italy made a smart recovery from a set down but failed to deliver at crucial points in the decider to lose 2-6, 6-1, 5-7 against the unseeded duo of Gisela Dulko of Argentina and Shahar Peer of Israel in a 125-minute second round match.

The opening set saw Dulko and Peer having the upper hand in service by firing three aces while Sania and Schiavone struggled with their serves as they dropped two of them to give away the first set 2-6 in 27 minutes.The Indo-Italian pair staged a fine recovery in the second set as they tightened their service game and engaged their rivals in long rallies which they won most of the time.

Sania and Schiavone broke Dulko and Peer twice in the second set while giving them no chance to do the same.

Both the pairs reserved their best for the decider which lasted 68 minutes. Sania and Schiavone smashed three aces but failed to win the crucial points.

With most of the games being stretched to deuces, breakpoints changed sides and Dulko and Peer converted more of them than their Indo-American opponents.

Dulko and Peer converted two of the nine breakpoints, while Sania and Schiavone won one out of seven.

http://saniam.blogspot.com

US Open : Sania Mirza's worst defeat

Sania Mirza offered no excuses following her 6-0 6-0 whitewash at the hands of 10th seed Flavia Pennetta at the US Open on Wednesday.

The 22-year-old Mirza had no chance against the in-form Pennetta, the first Italian woman to reach the world's top 10.

"If she plays like that, she's going to win the Open," Mirza told reporters following the 50-minute, second-round blowout under sunny skies at Louis Armstrong Stadium.

"I wasn't thinking, 'I'm playing such horrible tennis.' She had an answer for everything. That's something you just have to deal with and move on. Tomorrow's a new day."

While Pennetta has been riding a hot streak, winning the title in Los Angeles last month, world number 74 Mirza has been playing most of her tennis on the ITF circuit, a level below the main tour.

The first set was over in 22 minutes and though Mirza had a game point in the first and fifth games of the second, she could not get on the scoreboard.

Mirza said she could not recall ever getting blanked in a tennis match, even as a junior.

"I could have been more aggressive but then again she didn't give me a chance to do anything," said Mirza. "She was there from the word go. She was so aggressive."

The 27-year-old Pennetta, who lost only four games in her first-round match against Romania's Edina Gallovits, had only 10 unforced errors against Mirza.

Mirza said Pennetta always had a great backhand but her improved forehand has made her particularly dangerous.

"Suddenly you're thinking, 'What do I do now?' She's hitting from both the flanks and she's hitting really well," said the Mumbai-born Mirza. "She was all over the place.

"I told her in the locker room, 'If you play like this you're going to be number one in the world.'
http://saniam.blogspot.com

US OPEN : mixed doubles - Sania Mirza and Mahesh Bhupathi part ways

Sania Mirza and Mahesh Bhupathi will be playing with different partners in the mixed doubles event of the ongoing US Open tennis championships

The Australian Open mixed doubles champions reached the decision due to uncertainity over Sania's participation in the event because of her troubled wrist, which was operated upon last year.

Sania's father Imran Mirza told IANS that her wrist was troubling her again and she wanted to wait till she was sure of playing in the mixed doubles.

'Sania's wrist has been hurting on and off over the last few weeks and she was not sure whether she would play the mixed doubles event. She wanted to decide at the last moment after gauging the condition of her injury,' the elder Mirza said Thursday.

'Under the circumstances, we thought it would not be fair on Mahesh as he could end up missing out on the event if Sania was forced to back out at the last moment. Hence, it was mutually decided that he would finalise another partner for himself and in case Sania decided to play at the last moment, she would try to find someone who was still available.'

Bhupathi, who has seven Grand Slam mixed doubles titles, has paired up with the experienced American Liezel Huber and they have received top billing. The pair will open against American Vania King and Marcelo Melo of Brazil.

Sania has entered the event with 37-year old doubles specialist Daniel Nestor from Canada and the duo are are in the same half as Bhupathi-Huber. Sania and Nestor will meet Akgul Amanmuradova of Uzbekistan and Australian Ashley Fisher in the first round.

Sania's wrist injury had kept her out of action for the most part of 2008 that saw her career ranking drop from a high of 27.

The 74th-ranked Indian was blanked out of the US Open singles second round by Italian Flavia Pennetta Tuesday.Meanwhile, Leander Paes has teamed up with Cara Black of Zimbabwe and the duo are seeded second. They will play Switzerland's Patty Schnyder and South African Wesley Moodie in the first round.

http://saniam.blogspot.com

Sania mirza puffs to second round

Somdev Devvarman and Sania Mirza notched up a rare double for India at the US Open by advancing to the second round of the season's last Grand Slam with contrasting opening wins at the Flushing Meadows. While Sania opened with a roller-coaster 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 win over Olga Govortsova of Belarus in women's singles, qualifier Somdev got the better of Portugal's Frederico Gil 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 in the men's competition. The 162nd-ranked Somdev will take on German 23rd seed Philipp Kohlschreiber, who defeated Italy's Andreas Seppi 6-0, 6-4, 6-4 in the second round.
Also read: Sania Mirza enters second round at US Open | Somdev storms into second round at US Open
The 74th-ranked Sania also has a tough match at hand against old nemesis Italian 10th seed Flavia Pennetta.
"I'm really happy we have two players in the second round of a Grand Slam. Things are looking up," Sania said after her win.
Somdev, meanwhile, said the scoreline might show a straight-set win but he had to toil hard on the court.
"I really dug in there, didn't get tight. I competed well. That's what gets you through those tough ones - the way you compete," he said.
Somdev played a solid service game in the contest which lasted more than two hours, breaking his rival seven times.
"I don't want to jinx myself but I feel good about where I am. I've had a couple of quality wins. It gives me a lot of confidence and belief that I can come out and compete with anyone. My game is up there with the rest," he said.
Sania, on the other hand, had to fight it out harder but was helped by her opponent's weak serve and unforced errors.
The Indian ace broke her rival seven times and served marginally better to come through in the match that lasted close to two hours.
"The toughest thing is to get that first win under your belt. Under the circumstances I'm just happy I can come through that match and get off to a good start. To me it has already been successful," she said.
On her nagging wrist problem, Sania said the injury that threatened her career at one point is finally healing.
"I'm happy with the way I'm playing. Physically I've never been fitter in terms of the way I'm moving on the court and playing in matches.
"I came up with the big shot that I needed to have. I have that big weapon when I need to use it," the 24-year-old said.
The recently-engaged star said she was ready for a grand comeback after spending a lot of time on the sidelines due to injuries.
"I'm at that stage where I'm ready to go up again and go into the new year with confidence. The major wrist problem is finally gone. It's about trying to stay as injury-free as possible," she said.
"You don't realise how much you miss playing tennis until you think you might not be able to play again. That made me really grow as a person. I appreciate it more being on a tennis court now," she added.

http://saniam.blogspot.com

US Open : Olga Govortsova - Sania's first hurdle

Struggling to advance beyond second rounds of Grand Slam events all season, Sania Mirza opens her US Open campaign against world number 64 Olga Govortsova of Belarus as the last tennis Major of the year begins on Monday.

The one-to-one record between the world number 71 Sania and her Belarussian rival is tied 1-1.

Sania had beaten Govortsova in a qualifying event in 2007 and the Belarussian settled the score with a win in Doha next year.

If Sania clears the first hurdle, she may run into 10th seed Italian Flavia Pennetta in the second round.

Sania has not done well in the singles events of the Grand Slams this year, reaching the second rounds of the Australian Open and Wimbledon and falling at the very first hurdle in the French Open.

Although she has tasted some success in the doubles events, becoming the first ever female player of the country to win the mixed doubles title of the Australian Open along with compatriot Mahesh Bhupathi.

http://saniam.blogspot.com

Sania's US Open campaign: Will wrist injury heal ?

The wrist injury that kept Sania Mirza out of action almost half the season last year has flared up once again just a few days before the U S Open but the tennis ace is hoping that it will "hold up" during the year's last Grand Slam.

Although Sania is sure to play in singles and doubles events of the US Open, she may skip the mixed doubles event but a final call will be taken only during the event.

The pain has recurred at a time when Sania had a chance to wipe off the disappointment of not doing well in the singles competitions of the Grand Slams this year.

After getting engaged to childhood friend Sohrab Mirza, Sania began her hard-court season preparations by winning the Lexington ITF Challenger event in July.

http://saniam.blogspot.com

Rogers Cup :Sania Mirza crashes out

Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza fell at the final hurdle of the qualifying rounds of the women's edition of the Rogers Cup on Sunday.

With the main draw accepting only 44 direct entries including all 16 of the World's top players, there was a good chance for the qualifying field to seek a berth in this highly lucrative event with 12 places up for grabs through only two rounds of play.

Sania was made to work hard in her opening qualifying round match by Canadian Marie-Eve Pelletier on Saturday, struggling to a 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 win. But she wasn't quite as lucky against another local girl, 22-year old Heidi El Tabakh, ranked 121 places below Mirza at 195 in the world.

Tabakh raced through the first set 6-1, as Mirza failed to get going at all. Though she failed to find the range on her serve in the second set either, dropping it twice, she did make the most of her opportunities on the El Tabakh serve, winning 75% of the points on her opponents second serve, and levelling the match at a set all 1-6, 6-3.

The final set saw both girls lift the level of their play, as they tried desperately to sneak an advantage. Mirza would regret in the end not taking any of her five break opportunities in the decider, as one bad game cost her the match. El Tabakh took just 7 points off the Mirza serve in the last set, but put a bunch of them together in the 6^thgame, which saw her take the only break point she got, to wrap up the tie 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 in a shade under 2 hours.

El Tabakh also eliminated the qualifying section's top seed, world No.35 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova on Saturday. Joining El Tabakh in the main draw are other seasoned campaigners Julie Coin, Maria Kirilenko, Maria Rybarikova among others.

Sania will play in the doubles event in the competition alongside her new partner Francesca Schiavone of Italy. They open their campaign against Akgul Amanmuradova of Uzbekistan and Alla Kudryavtseva of Russia.

http://saniam.blogspot.com

Sania Mirza tastes another defeat

Sania Mirza and her Italian partner Francesca Schiavone crashed out of the doubles event of the $2 million Cincinnati Open following a straight set defeat against top seeds Cara Black and Lizel Huber.

The unseeded Indo-Italian pair lost 4-6, 3-6 to the Zimbabwean-American combination in one hour and 14 minutes in the second round of the WTA event.

Meanwhile, playing her second competitive match in more than two years, Kim Clijsters reached the third round of the Western & Southern Financial Group Open with a 6-2, 7-5 win over Patty Schnyder on Wednesday.

http://saniam.blogspot.com

Sania Mirza went up nine places

Sania Mirza went up nine places in the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) singles rankings released on Monday. Sania, whose attempt to win back-to-back International Tennis Federation (ITF) titles failed after she lost the Vancouver Open final Sunday, is now at the 74th position. Her doubles rankings is static at 49th.

http://saniam.blogspot.com

Sania loses in Vancuover final

Top seed Sania Mirza's quest for a second successive ITF title ended in disappointment as she squandered a one set advantage to go down to local favourite Stephanie Dubois in the finals of the USD 75,000 Vancuover Open in the Canadian city.

Sania lost 6-1 4-6 4-6 against a gritty Stephanie, who said the Indian ace looked jaded after playing tough quarterfinal and semifinal matches incidentally against Canadians.

With a partisan crowd egging her on, Stephanie staged a remarkable comeback after being blown away by Sania in the opening set.

Both the players struggled to hold serve in the match but it was Sania who ended up paying more for the mistakes as the Stephanie raised her game at crucial junctures.

"I think that the other Canadians tired her a little bit, they had a really good match, (both) of them," said Stephanie.

Sania thanked the few Indian fans who turned up to support her in the match.

"I guess it helps that we're a billion of us," she joked.

Sania won the ITF title in Lexington, USA last week. The injury-prone Indian is on a comeback trail after recuperating from a wrist surgery.

Sania walked away with USD 6,080 for her effort in the Vancuover Open.

http://saniam.blogspot.com

Sania moves into Vancouver quarters

Top-seeded Sania Mirza quelled a late challenge from American wildcard Laura Granville to enter the quarter finals of the $75,000 International Tennis Federation (ITF) Vancuover Open according to information received here on Friday. Competing in only the third ITF event of her career, the Indian ace defeated Granville 6-2, 7-5. Sania will now take on local favourite Rebecca Marino in the last-eight stage. Rebecca stunned eighth seed Australian Olivia Rogowska 7-5, 7-6 (0) to make the quarter finals. Laura had advanced to the second round after her Japanese opponent Aiko Nakamura conceded the match when leading 4-3 in the final set. Sania had won the ITF Lexington Challenger recently. Her year had started on a high note after winning the Australian Open mixed doubles with compatriot Mahesh Bhupathi in January. She then reached the final of the Pattaya Open in February where she lost to Vera Zvonareva. However, she couldn’t make much of a mark in the French Open or Wimbledon. She is currently playing hardcourt events in North America as preparation for the US Open, which begins later this month.

http://saniam.blogspot.com

ATP rankings; Sania Mirza moves to 85th

http://saniam.blogspot.com


Indian tennis sensation Sania Mirza moved up a place to 85th on the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) rankings in women's singles while dropping one place to 42nd in the doubles.


Yuki Bhambri continues to take giant strides leap-frogging 111 places to 531st position.
The 17-year-old junior Australian Open champion won his third successive International Tennis Federation (ITF) tournament at the Delhi Lawn Tennis Association (DLTA) complex earlier this month before his 17-match unbeaten streak was halted in the second of the two back-to-back tournaments last week.
Yuki had won his maiden ITF title in the last week of April and went on to add another within a week. The two ITF titles had catapulted Yuki to 661st position, a jump of 897 places.
Among other Indian players, Prakash Amritraj fell 95 places to 254th while Somdev Devvarman slipped three places to 135.
In the men doubles' rankings, Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi are static at sixth and eighth places respectively.
Indian tennis' poster girl Sania recently got engaged gets engaged to childhood friend Sohrab Mirza at a plush hotel in Hyderababd, away from the prying eyes of the media.
The glittery ceremony was attended by a few special and close invitees including Indian tennis ace Mahesh Bhupathi, south movie star Chiranjeevi among others.
Sania's father Imran had earlier made it clear that Sania would continue playing the game after her engagement and the wedding would take place a couple of years later.
Sania, India's first female player to win a Grand Slam title, is likely to leave for America later this month to participate in the US Open and other competitions.

Sania mirza's engagement pics

http://saniam.blogspot.com

Sania Mirza is seen with her childhood friend and fiance

http://saniam.blogspot.com

In this photograph released by Sania Mirza's family India's tennis star Sania Mirza is seen with her childhood friend and fiance Sohrab Mirza,left, after their engagement ceremony, in Hyderabad, India, Friday, July 10, 2009

Sania Mirza celebrated her engagement in style

Sania Mirza celebrated her engagement to childhood friend Mohammed Sohrab Mirza by winning the $50,000 Lexington Challenger ITF women’s tennis event in Kentucky on Sunday.

The 22-year-old Hyderabadi girl, who was returning to the courts after her betrothal earlier this month, made light of top seed Julie Coin of France for a 7-6 (5), 6-4 victory in the summit clash.

It was Sania’s first appearance in a Challenger tournament in more than four years and, interestingly, her maiden triumph at this level although she has a Grand Slam in mixed doubles, a WTA Tour title and a dozen wins at the $10,000 level under her belt.

Coin had made rapid strides over the last 12 months to be ranked at 62, but Sania, who was ranked as high as 27 in 2007, proved to be too hot to handle for the French woman. And a large contingent of partisan, diaspora fans gave Sania the ‘home advantage’.

“Everyone here hits the ball and moves well (in Challengers). But winning is about having the experience and doing it consistently.

“My biggest strength is that no one can read my forehand… I can hit it anywhere,” Sania said after her win.

A fall-out of her victory was that Sania had to miss out on playing the qualifiers of the $700,000 WTA Tour Premier event in Stanford over the weekend.

In fact, the tournament had awarded Sania a wild card but that was overruled by the WTA as she had already received three main draw wild cards this year, the maximum allowed under the rules, for events in Dubai, Indian Wells and Miami.

She was also forced to withdraw from doubles main draw due to an injury to her partner Meghann Shaughnessy of the US.

Sania squandered a 5-2 lead in the first set tie-breaker but Coin, after levelling the scores at 5-5, failed to take advantage of a weak second serve from Sania and netted her return.

The 26-year-old French went up 2-0 with an early break in the second. But Sania hit back with a double break to go up 5-3, and although she again dropped serve, the Indian uncorked a third break of serve to seal the match.

The win saw Sania move up three places to 80 in the WTA Tour rankings. However, she dropped 10 spots to 49th in the doubles chart.

On the ATP Tour, Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi held on to their sixth and eighth spot respectively in the men’s doubles rankings.

http://saniam.blogspot.com

Sania all set to shed her singledom status; engagement today

Sania Mirza's days of singledom come to an end tonight with the Indian tennis ace all set to get engaged to childhood friend Sohrab Mirza in a private ceremony here.

Sohrab is an MBA student and son of a city-based businessman.

The 22-year-old Sania and Sohrab (23) will exchange rings at 8.30pm at a posh city hotel tonight.

http://saniam.blogspot.com

Double fault : Second man professed his love for Sania Mirza

A second man has been detained after professing his love for Indian tennis star Sania Mirza at her Hyderabad home.

Ms Mirza is to be engaged to a family friend on Friday

Ajay Singh Yadav told the police that he had been in love with Ms Mirza - ranked 85th in the world - for five years and wanted to marry her.

On Wednesday another man, Mohammad Ashraf, was arrested after threatening to kill himself if Ms Mirza did not marry him. Both men are in custody.

The tennis player is to be engaged to a family friend on Friday.

Security has been tightened at Sania Mirza's bungalow in the upmarket Banjara Hills area of Hyderabad.

The police said Ajay Singh, from Noida in Uttar Pradesh, arrived in the city in the morning and rushed to Banjara Hills, saying he wanted to meet the tennis player.

When he did not go away despite warnings, the police took him in to custody.

"I have loved her for the last five years, and want to marry her," Mr Singh said, remaining cool and composed.

Based on an identity card he carried with him, the police identified him as a student at the Dronacharya College of Engineering in Noida.

It was a repeat of Wednesday's drama, in which Mohammed Ashraf, an engineering student from Kerala, tried to enter Ms Mirza's house and threatened to commit suicide if her engagement was not cancelled.

Mr Ashraf, a resident of Manjeri in Malappuram, said he wanted to "propose" to Ms Mirza. He said he fell in love with her two years ago, when he watched her playing tennis in Bangalore.

The Banjara Hills Police charged Mr Ashraf with offences including trespass, criminal intimidation and uttering words or making gestures outraging the modesty of a woman. He was sent before a local court, which remanded him in custody for 14 days.

Ajay Singh will also appear in court and be sent to the same jail where Mr Ashraf is lodged.

http://saniam.blogspot.com