In an exclusive chat with espnstar.com, Sania Mirza hailed Team India’s victorious campaign in the Asia/Oceania Group II tie.
India beat Kyrgyzstan 3-0 in the play-off tie in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday to regain their berth in the Asia/Oceania Group I of the Fed Cup.
“The whole team performed very well and the fact that we didn’t drop a single match makes the win more special. We are very happy to win back our place in Group I after we were relegated last year,” said Sania, who returned to lead India after missing the 2009 tie due to an abdominal injury.
In a complete reversal of their 2009 show, India blanked Singapore and hosts Malaysia by 3-0 each in the pool phase and then prevailed over Kyrgyzstan on Saturday in their promotional play-off tie. India were relegated to Group II last year after losing the play-off tie to Chinese Taipei.
Sania was all praise for debutante Poojashree Venkatesha, who gave India a good start against Singapore and Malaysia, winning the first rubber quite easily. “I was watching Pooja play for the first time. And, she had two very good matches,” Sania said. “With Pooja winning the first rubber comfortably, it took a lot of pressure off me as well.”
Pooja, however, could not take part in the side’s play-off tie as she suffered a knee injury. “After Pooja got injured, Rushmi (Chakravarthy) stepped in for the singles (against Bermet Duvanaeva). She had not played singles for a long time, but thankfully her experience came in handy,” said Sania, who then followed with an easy 6-0, 6-2 win over Ksenia Palkina.
While Rushmi did drop a set (6-4, 1-6, 6-3) before giving India the all-important lead, Sania denied any momentary scare that might have been triggered off by that. “That happens all the time in tennis. And, at the end it doesn’t matter how pretty or ugly the victory is. Winning is what is important and we are just enjoying that,” the top-ranked player of the Indian squad added.
On India’s campaign in Group I next year, Sania said, “Though, it’s very early to talk about it right now, I am sure we will have some more junior girls ready to take on the mantle.
“Pooja and Sanaa (Bhambri) already look set to step into our shoes. So, in a year I think we will have a team strong enough to play against the tougher teams in Group I and stake claim for the World Group,” Sania added, who on Sunday will head to Thailand to participate in Pattaya Open, where she finished runner-up last year.
India beat Kyrgyzstan 3-0 in the play-off tie in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday to regain their berth in the Asia/Oceania Group I of the Fed Cup.
“The whole team performed very well and the fact that we didn’t drop a single match makes the win more special. We are very happy to win back our place in Group I after we were relegated last year,” said Sania, who returned to lead India after missing the 2009 tie due to an abdominal injury.
In a complete reversal of their 2009 show, India blanked Singapore and hosts Malaysia by 3-0 each in the pool phase and then prevailed over Kyrgyzstan on Saturday in their promotional play-off tie. India were relegated to Group II last year after losing the play-off tie to Chinese Taipei.
Sania was all praise for debutante Poojashree Venkatesha, who gave India a good start against Singapore and Malaysia, winning the first rubber quite easily. “I was watching Pooja play for the first time. And, she had two very good matches,” Sania said. “With Pooja winning the first rubber comfortably, it took a lot of pressure off me as well.”
Pooja, however, could not take part in the side’s play-off tie as she suffered a knee injury. “After Pooja got injured, Rushmi (Chakravarthy) stepped in for the singles (against Bermet Duvanaeva). She had not played singles for a long time, but thankfully her experience came in handy,” said Sania, who then followed with an easy 6-0, 6-2 win over Ksenia Palkina.
While Rushmi did drop a set (6-4, 1-6, 6-3) before giving India the all-important lead, Sania denied any momentary scare that might have been triggered off by that. “That happens all the time in tennis. And, at the end it doesn’t matter how pretty or ugly the victory is. Winning is what is important and we are just enjoying that,” the top-ranked player of the Indian squad added.
On India’s campaign in Group I next year, Sania said, “Though, it’s very early to talk about it right now, I am sure we will have some more junior girls ready to take on the mantle.
“Pooja and Sanaa (Bhambri) already look set to step into our shoes. So, in a year I think we will have a team strong enough to play against the tougher teams in Group I and stake claim for the World Group,” Sania added, who on Sunday will head to Thailand to participate in Pattaya Open, where she finished runner-up last year.
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