Sania Mirza in QF of Miami Masters

Sania Mirza and her partner Chuang Chia-jung of Taiwan rallied to stun eighth seeds Maria Kirilenko and Flavia Pennetta in a gruelling three-setter for a place in the women's doubles quarterfinal of the USD 4.5 million Miami Masters here.
Sania and Chuang shocked the fancied Russian-Italian pair 4-6 7-6 (5) 10-4 to enter the last-eight stage.

The unseeded Indo-Taiwanese duo will next take on the winners of the match between the Argentine-Israeli team of Gisela Dulko and Shahar Peer and the Spanish combine of Anabel Medina Garrigues and Ruano Pascual.

Photo : Sania Mirza during a news conference..

Sania Mirza during a news conference in Hyderabad on February 3, 2009. Mirza became the first Indian woman to win a senior grand slam title when she teamed up with Mahesh Bhupathi to win the Australian Open mixed doubles

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Sania and Chuang fights hard 2 reach pre-QF

Leander Paes and Lukas Dlouhy made a spectacular start to their campaign in the USD 4,500,000 Miami Masters event as they stormed into the doubles pre-quaterfinals after a crushing 6-2 6-2 win over Fernando Gonzalez and Juan Monaco.

The fourth seeded Indo-Czech pair took just 46 minutes to dispatch the Chile pair in the first round in Miami. In the women's event, Sania Mirza and Chinese Taipei's Chia-Jung Chuang earned a hard fought 6-4 7-5 win over the Czech combination of Iveta Benesova and Barbora Strycova Zahlavova to advance to the pre-quarterfinals.

Paes-Dlouhy converted all the four breakpoints and saved three on their own serve to ran away with the first set. The second set too belonged to the winners as they converted both the break points that came their way to seal the issue.

Sania and Chuang converted both the breakpoints in the first set and saved two while saving one.

In the second set, seven breaks were traded with the Indo-Taipei pair getting four en route to win. Mahesh Bhupathi and his Bahamian partner Mark Knowles, seeded third, will open their campaign against French pair of Julien Benneteau and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Physio Heath Matthews recounts his experiences with Sania mirza

source :Espnstar

Physio Heath Matthews recounts his experiences with Sania mirza

I have been working with Indian athletes since December 2005. It was at that time that I met Mahesh Bhupathi during a tennis preseason training camp in South Africa. 

From there I travelled with Mahesh and Wesley Moodie on the ATP tour for 9 months. It was a great experience and I learnt many things interacting with some of the world’s top physios and trainers. Mahesh is a real hero for Indian sport. Not only has he done his country proud in standing at the top of the world ranking with fellow countrymen Leander Paes, but he has actively sort to improve the standing of Indian tennis with his tennis academy in Bangalore and his involvement with Mittal Champions Trust. I have a huge amount of respect for him.

In November 2006 Mahesh asked me to start working with Sania Mirza. Sania was contracted with Globosport which is Mahesh’s sports management company and thus Mahesh thought that it in Sania’s best interests that I work with her on her fitness. 

My first experience of India was in November 2006 when I travelled to Hyderabad to work with Sania for 3 weeks on a preseason training program. I travelled and worked with Sania throughout 2007 until The All England Wimbledon Championships in July of that year. 

Our partnership got off to a flying start with Sania winning Silver in the Woman’s Singles and a Gold in the Mixed at the Asian in games in Doha. 2007 was a more challenging year with Sania’s knee injury in early March of that year. It was a trying time for her but she dealt with the surgery very well and was very dedicated to her recovery program. She did so well that she came back and won the doubles title in her first tournament back in Morocco. 

Sadly my time came to an end with Sania after Wimbledon. I was offered the opportunity to work for the Mittal Champions Trust as Director of Athletic Performance. At the time I was happy that Sania was in good hands with her coach Gaby from Spain. My career was pulling me in a different direction I needed to follow it deeper into India. 

Sania Mirza crash lands in singles

 Sania Mirza's lean patch continued as the Indian ace crashed out of the USD 4,500,000 Sony Ericsson Open after losing a gruelling first round match against world number 65 Mathilde Johansson of France here.

Sania, a wild card entrant, won the first set but could not survive the battle of nerves and lost 6-1 6-7 (2) 6-7 (8) against her rival. Also making a first round exit was India's teen sensation Yuki Bhambri, who put up a valiant fight against world number 73 Diego Junqueira of Argentina.

The 15-year-old Indian wild card showed a steely resolve as he kept his seasoned opponent in fight for one hour and 22 minutes before losing 4-6 3-6. Sania had failed to move beyond the second round at Indian Wells last week.

The Indian ace, world number 100, will now compete in the doubles event for which she has teamed up with Chinese Taipei's Chia-Jung Chuang. The pair will take on the Czech combination of Iveta Benesova and Barbora Strycova Zahlavova in the opening round.

Soni Ericsson Open : Sania Mirza in singles & doubles

Sania Mirza, has been lucky to receive the wildcard. The Indian has dropped 13 places to be ranked 100 and was originally scheduled to compete in the qualifying tournament.

She would open her campaign against World No. 65 Mathilde Johansson of France Thursday. The winner between the two will run into World No. 2 and second seed Dinara Safina of Russia, who got a bye in the first round.

In the doubles, Sania partnering Chia-Jung Chuang of Chinese Taipei will play Czech pair Iveta Benesova and Barbora Zahlavova Strycova in the opening round.

Sony Ericsson WTA Tour:Sania mirza will open her campaign against Dinara Safina

The second of four Premier Mandatory events on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour's new-look calendar takes place this fortnight, in the form of the $4,500,000 Sony Ericsson Open.

Sania mirza will open her campaign against Dinara Safina

WTA ranks: Sania slips to 100 in singles, 87 in doubles

An average outing at Indian Wells tournament cost Sania Mirza 13 places in the WTA rankings and the Indian ace now stands yet again on the verge of dropping out of top-100.

With 646 points in her kitty, Sania stands at 100 in the singles and at 87, a loss of 16 positions, in the doubles in the list issued by WTA on Monday.

In the men's ranking, Somdev Devvarman remained static at 150 in the singles ATP list with 546 points.

In doubles, Leander Paes (6780) and Mahesh Bhupathi (6165) also kept their fifth and eighth position respectively.

Sania Mirza to Add Spice to WTA Ponte Vedra Field

Stoic Russian Nadia Petrova remains the top seed, but The MPS Group Championships WTA Tour event in Ponte Vedra Beach may have hooked its two most exciting players this week with the addition of Australian comeback queen Jelena Dokic, and Indian pin-up girl Sania Mirza.The MPS Group Championships takes place April 6- 12 at the Sawgrass Country Club in Ponte Vedra Beach, following the Sony Ericsson Championships inMiami on the WTA calendar, and prior to the Family Circle Cup in Charleston.

Formerly the Bausch & Lomb Championships in Amelia Island, this is the event's first year in Ponte Vedra Beach, and officially begins the 2009 claycourt circuit.

"Our player field is growing stronger. It is also shaping up with a great mix of veterans and rising stars which reflects the international flavor of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour," said John Arrix. tournament director. "The tournament is especially excited to have Jelena Dokic enter who is making a successful comeback on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour." 

Dokic's family struggles have been well documented, and the former No. 4 in the world almost quit tennis last year after failing to find consistent results even at the lowest ITF events. But this January she upset three seeded players at the Australian Open, finally losing in a three-set quarterfinal to No. 1 ranking contender Dinara Safina of Russia.

Mirza's beauty and standard revealing tennis outfits have made her a target of public criticism in Muslim India, but the 2009 Pattaya City runner-up has soldiered on, returning from a wrist injury that sidelined her for approximately half of last year. This January Mirza also won the Australian Open mixed doubles with Indian mentor and partner Mahesh Bhupathi.

Maria Sharapova is the defending singles champion in Ponte Vedra Beach. Sharapova has announced she will miss Miami with her ongoing shoulder injury, making a PVB appearance a possibility as she attempts an injury comeback.

Sania mirza in action : Ad avertisement shoot

Sania mirza in action : Ad avertisement shoot

BNP Paribas Open: Sania loses in singles also

Sania Mirza, of India, serves to Flavia Pennetta, of Italy, during their match at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament, Saturday, March 14, 2009, in Indian Wells, Calif

BNP Paribas open : Flavia Pennetta thrashes Sania mirza

Flavia Pennetta, of Italy defeated Sania mirza (6-3,6-4) during their match at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament, Saturday, March 14

Sania Mirza returns a shot to Flavia Pennetta

Sania Mirza, of India, returns a shot to Flavia Pennetta, of Italy, during their match at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament, Saturday, March 14, 2009, in Indian Wells, Calif.

Indian Wells:Sania crashes out

Sania Mirza crashed out of the women's doubles event at the $4.5 million BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells.

Sania and her partner Chia-Jung Chuang of Taipei went down 1-6 4-6 to the Argentine-Israeli team of Gisela Dulko and Shahar Peer in the opening round.

However, Sania is still in contention in the singles event and the Indian ace takes on 12th seed Italian Flavia Panetta after a hard-fought first round victory on Thursday.

Sania Mirza, of India, returns a shot to Mariya Koryttseva

Sania Mirza, of India, returns a shot to Mariya Koryttseva, of Ukraine, during their first-round match at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament, Thursday, March 12, 2009, in Anaheim, Calif.

Sania Mirza hits a return against Maria Koryttseva

Sania Mirza of India hits a return against Maria Koryttseva of Ukraine during the Indian Wells WTA tennis tournament in Indian Wells, California March 12, 2009

Sania Mirza after losing a point to Mariya Koryttseva

Sania Mirza after losing a point to Mariya Koryttseva, of Ukraine, during their first-round match at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament, Thursday, March 12, 2009, in Anaheim, Calif

Sania Mirza returns a shot to Mariya Koryttseva of Ukrain

Sania Mirza of India, returns a shot to Mariya Koryttseva of Ukraine, during a first round match at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament, Thursday, March 12, 2009, in Anaheim, Calif.

Sania Mirza serves to Mariya Koryttseva,

Sania Mirza, of India, serves to Mariya Koryttseva, of Ukraine, during their first-round match at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament, Thursday, March 12, 2009, in Anaheim, Calif.

Maria Koryttseva vs Sania mirza photos

Sania Mirza during her match against Maria Koryttseva of Ukraine during the Indian Wells WTA tennis tournament in Indian Wells, California March 12, 2009.

Sania Mirza reacts during her match against Maria

Sania Mirza of India reacts during her match against Maria Koryttseva of Ukraine during the Indian Wells WTA tennis tournament in Indian Wells, California March 12, 2009

Sania mirza rallies to beat Mariya Koryttseva

Wild card Sania Mirza came back from the brink to beat Ukrainian Mariya Koryttseva in a grueling three-setter and enter the second round of the USD 4.5 million BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.
Sania trailed 2-6 1-3 before bouncing back to win the match 2-6 6-3 6-2 and set up a tough clash against 12th seed Italian Flavia Pennetta, who got a first-round bye.

In a contest that ended just three seconds short of being two hours long, Sania was completely outplayed in the opening set in which Koryttseva broke her thrice to clinch it 6-2.

The Indian seemed headed for a straight-set defeat as she trailed 1-3 after being broken once in the second set.

But Sania soon got her act together to save four break points and break back twice to equalise.

The Hyderabadi player dominated the decider and broke an error-prone Koryttseva twice to wrap up the marathon battle in her favour.

In doubles, Sania has teamed up with Taipei's Chia-Jung Chuang and the duo will open its campaign against the Argentine-Israeli team of Gisela Dulko and Shahar Peer.

Sania Mirza @ Indian Wells Masters tennis tournament

Sania Mirza walks to her court during the Indian Wells Masters tennis tournament in Indian Wells, California March 11, 2009.

 

Sania Mirza back to action VS Mariya Koryttseva

Sania Mirza will kick off her campaign at Indian Wells tennis tournament against Ukrainian Mariya Koryttseva.

The 87th ranked Indian has been given a wildcard and for the first time will meet Koryttseva, ranked 96, here Tuesday.

Sania, 22, has been training with Andre Agassi’s trainer Gil Reyes in Las Vegas and has shown form by winning the Australian Open mixed doubles title in January and then made it to the final at Pattaya Open last month. She made a comeback earlier this year from a wrist injury.

If Sania wins her first round clash, in the next round she is certain to run into 12th-seeded Flavia Pennetta, who got a bye in the first round.

In the doubles, Sania will pair Taiwan’s (Chinese Taipei) Chia-Jung Chuang and will face her former partner Shahar Peer of Israel and Gisela Dulko of Argentina

Sania Mirza improves rank

Sania Mirza gained a place on the singles chart to rise to No.87 in the WTA rankings released Monday. In the doubles rankings too she inched forward by a place to rise to the 71st position.

Sania big fan of Steffi Graf

Las Vegas, for Sania Mirza, was a week of heavy work and a chance meeting. The Indian star ran into her childhood idol, the legendary German Steffi Graf, at Gil Reyes' training centre and was at a loss for words.

"I'd just finished practice and was walking back to the car with my father, we were going back to the hotel. That's when I spotted Steffi coming my way. She was just a few yards away. She was coming in for a hit herself," an excited Sania said.

"I've always been a great admirer of Steffi," said Sania, who like her idol enjoys dominating matches with her forehand. "I felt like a fan when I met her. This was my first meeting with her. She was so nice," Sania said of Graf.

"She introduced herself and enquired about my practice session. I just about managed to mumble something."

Sania Mirza is ambassador of TVS

TCA has signed on Tennis sensation Sania Mirza as ambassador of TVS Scooty Streak

Sania mirza is atheletic

Renowned fitness trainer Gil Reyes, who has worked with top stars like Ana Ivanovic and Fernando Verdasco, on Monday lauded Sania Mirza's 'athleticism' after working for one week with the tennis ace.
Sania Mirza, who missed India's Fed cup campaign due to an abdominal injury after winning her career's first Grand Slam mixed doubles title at Australian Open, trained with Reynes at his Las Vegas centre.
Sania's coach Sven Groeneveld was also there with her during the stint.
"I have enjoyed the training sessions with Sania. I am truly impressed with her athleticism. She has natural athletic ability and has been well coached," Reyes said.
"Professional tennis has become quite physical and will continue to do so. Adding a strength and power to a natural athlete like Sania could certainly improve her tennis game, specially speed, movement and court coverage," he said.
The Spanish trainer said the kind of injury Sania picked up recently, she should be given adequate time to recover.
"It is important to respect Sania's recent wrist injury and not force the issue. However, she has been training her lower body with great focus and intensity. I can understand the enthusiasm about Sania's future and I share the enthusiasm," Reyes said.
Reyes also expressed his willingness to work with Sania again.
"I hope that her schedule will include many training days at my training center in Las Vegas because I believe that by adding greater physical capabilities to her abundant tennis talent, Sania will enjoy a very successful career as a professional athlete."

Sania mirza - the beautiful face of india

Sania mirza - all smiles

Sania mirza to sacrifice doubles tournaments

"I like the way my career is going right now," she enthused. "I feel I'm playing well and there's no major injury as of now."

And like many others before her, playing more doubles has helped her regain composure while playing singles.

"It (playing doubles along with singles) has always been like that," said Sania. "But singles was, and will always be a priority till my body holds up."

Does that mean she will cut down on her doubles assignments?

"I may have to sacrifice some doubles tournaments to further my singles career," she reasoned. "But I will try to balance it out as much as possible.The Indian is heading for Las Vegas for a stint with Gil Reyes, the former strength and conditioning trainer for the University of Nevada-Las Vegas who has been associated with big names like Andre Agassi.

"Gil is the best trainer in the world," said Sania. "He's trained the likes of Agassi and more recently Fernando (Verdasco) and I am looking forward to training with him."

There's a tinge of regret though.

"I know one week is not enough but definitely it is a beginning," lamented Sania.

Whatever she has achieved so far has undoubtedly been a first for an Indian woman but still there remains many more goals.

"I think it is human nature to be greedy," reasoned Sania, a tad philosophical. "I may have achieved a lot so far but I keep building new goals for myself."

But ask her if there is a target she has set for the rest of year and she nods her head in disagreement.

Talk then veers to Yuki Bhambri and Sania goes to a rehearsed speech even before the question can be completed.

"Yuki is our biggest talent at the moment," she said. "He's a guy to look out for in the years to come. But I sincerely hope he makes a smooth transition from the junior level to the senior circuit," she adds cautiously.

So with herself, Mahesh (Bhupathi), Leander (Paes) and Yuki doing well is this the start of yet another good spell for Indian tennis?

"At the Australian Open, we had three finalists -- Yuki was playing in the boys' singles, Mahesh in the men's doubles and myself and Mahesh in the mixed," she said.

"So it was pretty good for India. I would say Indian tennis is at its healthiest best today.

"But it is definitely harder to sustain the momentum."

Sania slips

 Sania Mirza slipped 13 places to 88 in the WTA singles rankings, released on Monday. In the doubles ranking she lost 9 places to stand at 72.

Sania want to concentrate on Singles

Asserting that singles matches were her priority, Indian tennis star Sania Mirza on Friday said that she may miss out some doubles matches in order to prolong her singles career.
"Singles are the priority for me. Since I'm young enough I will try to prolong my singles career till my body holds up", said Sania who was in Mumbai for a promotional event for Cadbury's.

"I've been playing quite well in singles so I'm trying to balance it out between singles and doubles matches. I might as well skip a few doubles' events here and there", she said.

The 22-year-old Hyderabadi, who won the mixed doubles crown at the Australian Open with compatriot Mahesh Bhupathi in January this year and made it to the singles final of the Pattaya Open earlier this month, said she was happy with the way her career was shaping up and has set herself new goals.

Sania, who had to withdraw from the Fed Cup earlier this month due to a wrist injury, said she was happy with her fitness after her injury woes in 2008.

"I have been practising in Hyderabad for the past one week and my wrist has held up very well. We do have a few niggles here and there but overall I'm happy with my fitness," she said.