Sania Mirza staged yet another magnificent comeback from near-wilderness in the international circuit. This 25-year-old Hyderabadi by entering the semi-finals in both the mixed doubles and women’s doubles of the Australian Open has now achieved what no other Indian women's tennis player has ever done before – break into the world top 10 in women’s doubles. To be precise, Sania is now ranked World No. 7.
“I used to be excited when I figured in the top students of my class. To be ranked at No. 7 in the world is an unbelievable feeling,” Sania Mirza informed 'The Hindu' on Monday even as she joined the Indian Fed Cup squad in China.
Clearly enjoying life after marriage with former Pakistan cricket captain Shoaib Malik, Sania’s message is loud and clear – ‘Watch out! I am still going strong and chasing the dream of an Olympic medal’.
“Yes, we are thrilled at her achievement given the fact that she was out of action for four months after the US Open when she needed another surgery (her third in four years). It is no joke to break into the top 10 rankings in the world in any category,” says Imran Mirza, Sania’s mentor and father.
For the record, Sania has won so far 12 WTA titles besides four ITF titles and in 2011 entered the French Open doubles final, besides being semi-finalist in women’s doubles in Wimbledon and making it to the semi-finals in two events in 2012 Australian Open.
What has clearly delighted the Mirza family is the fact that by her magnificent performance in the Australian Open, Sania has ensured that she stayed in the race for an entry into the 2012 London Olympics.
“Well, if Sania stays in the top 10 by June 2012, she will have the privilege to choose a partner from India to compete in the women’s doubles in London Games. And she can play in Olympics mixed doubles if she qualifies for singles or doubles,” explains Imran.
Apparently, Sania is in the mood to sustain her excellent Australian Open form by taking part in the Pattaya, Doha, Dubai, Kuala Lumpur Open tournaments where she is also hoping to pick some valuable points and to stay in the top 10 rankings. “Her schedule includes the US circuit too,” Imran pointed out.
“Definitely, Sania’s confidence is on a new high and the focus of attention in our preparation should be to ensure peak fitness level before the Olympics,” Imran said.
For her part, Sania, who is the only Indian woman tennis player to win a Grand Slam (the 2009 Australia Open mixed doubles title with Mahesh Bhupathi), is pleased that she once again proved why she is still the best women’s tennis player from India and with also the fact that she has silenced quite a few critics who had again written her off.
Source: http://www.thehindu.com/sport/tennis/article2845225.ece
“I used to be excited when I figured in the top students of my class. To be ranked at No. 7 in the world is an unbelievable feeling,” Sania Mirza informed 'The Hindu' on Monday even as she joined the Indian Fed Cup squad in China.
Clearly enjoying life after marriage with former Pakistan cricket captain Shoaib Malik, Sania’s message is loud and clear – ‘Watch out! I am still going strong and chasing the dream of an Olympic medal’.
“Yes, we are thrilled at her achievement given the fact that she was out of action for four months after the US Open when she needed another surgery (her third in four years). It is no joke to break into the top 10 rankings in the world in any category,” says Imran Mirza, Sania’s mentor and father.
For the record, Sania has won so far 12 WTA titles besides four ITF titles and in 2011 entered the French Open doubles final, besides being semi-finalist in women’s doubles in Wimbledon and making it to the semi-finals in two events in 2012 Australian Open.
What has clearly delighted the Mirza family is the fact that by her magnificent performance in the Australian Open, Sania has ensured that she stayed in the race for an entry into the 2012 London Olympics.
“Well, if Sania stays in the top 10 by June 2012, she will have the privilege to choose a partner from India to compete in the women’s doubles in London Games. And she can play in Olympics mixed doubles if she qualifies for singles or doubles,” explains Imran.
Apparently, Sania is in the mood to sustain her excellent Australian Open form by taking part in the Pattaya, Doha, Dubai, Kuala Lumpur Open tournaments where she is also hoping to pick some valuable points and to stay in the top 10 rankings. “Her schedule includes the US circuit too,” Imran pointed out.
“Definitely, Sania’s confidence is on a new high and the focus of attention in our preparation should be to ensure peak fitness level before the Olympics,” Imran said.
For her part, Sania, who is the only Indian woman tennis player to win a Grand Slam (the 2009 Australia Open mixed doubles title with Mahesh Bhupathi), is pleased that she once again proved why she is still the best women’s tennis player from India and with also the fact that she has silenced quite a few critics who had again written her off.
Source: http://www.thehindu.com/sport/tennis/article2845225.ece
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