Tuesday, December 15, 2009
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.
Sania Mirza's moment of loss
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
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.
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.
Francesca Schiavone of Italy celebrates her win
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
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
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
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
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
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
Marion Bartoli of France,Bartoli retired from the match in the second set due to injury.
Marion Bartoli of France holds her right arm
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.Friday, December 11, 2009
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sania Mirza beats Viktoriya Kutuzova
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.
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.
Sania Mirza vs Shahar Peer
http://saniamirzaindiaspride.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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sania had defeated local girl Rika Fujiwara of Japan 6-4, 6-0 yesterday.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
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.
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.
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.'
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.'
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.
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.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 6thgame, 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.
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 6thgame, 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.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
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.
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.
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.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
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.
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.
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.
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.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
ATP rankings; Sania Mirza moves to 85th
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.
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 is seen with her childhood friend and fiance
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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.
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.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
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.
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.
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://saniamirzaindiaspride.blogspot.com/
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://saniamirzaindiaspride.blogspot.com/
Friday, July 10, 2009
Sania's lover ends in jail
A young Indian man turned up at the home of tennis star Sania Mirza and threatened to kill himself if the tennis player did not marry him.
Mohammad Ashraf told Imran Mirza, Sania's father, that the tennis star could not marry anyone else as she "was born for me".
He also demanded that her engagement with family friend Sohrab Mirza, scheduled for Friday, be cancelled.
An alarmed Imran Mirza called the police who have taken him into custody.
He has been produced in court and remanded for a fortnight.
Mirza, 22, is one of the top ranking players. She ranks 85 in the world.
'Threatening'
In his complaint to the police, Mr Mirza says Mr Ashraf claims to be in love with the tennis star ever since he saw her playing a match in Bangalore two years ago.
Mr Mirza has also complained that the youth was sending text messages and making threatening calls to his daughter for some time.
Mr Ashraf arrived at Ms Mirza's home in Hyderabad city's upmarket home in Banjara Hills area on Tuesday evening accompanied by his friend Devadeesh Mohanty.
"How can you engage Sania to another person when she was born for me?" Mr Ashraf is reported to have asked the tennis player's father.
"He was threatening to commit suicide if Sania did not marry him," Mr Mirza told the police.
The two men have been arrested and have been charged with trespass and creating a nuisance.
Mr Ashraf has been identified as a civil engineer from Bangalore.Police say they have contacted Bangalore police to find out whether Mr Ashraf is mentally sound.
Sania Mirza is seen during the first round match
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Sania Mirza is seen during the first round match against Germany's Anna-Lena Groenefeld, at the 2009 Wimbledon tennis championships.
Anna-Lena Groenefeld vs Sania Mirza
Sania Mirza returns the ball to Anna-Lena Groenefeld of Germany at the Wimbledon tennis championships
Sania Mirza reacts after losing a point
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Sania Mirza reacts after losing a point to Romania's Sorana Cirstea during their second round match in the 2009 Wimbledon tennis championships at the All England Club. Cirstea won
Sania Mirza returns ball
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Sania Mirza returns a ball to Romanian number 28 seed Sorana Cirste at the All England Club. Mirza lost 6-4, 6-4 to tumble out of Wimbledon.
Sania Mirza slips seven places
A second-round loss at the Wimbledon championships cost Sania Mirza seven places in the WTA singles ranking as the Indian slipped to 85 but maintained her 37th position in the doubles list.
A failed bid at Wimbledon also affected Somdev Devvarman’s and Prakash Amrittraj’s rankings as the former lost three places to be 132 and latter went down by five spots to be at 159.
Somdev had lost his first qualifying round and Prakash faltered in the third and final round.
Mahesh Bhupathi gained a place to be at eighth in the men’s doubles ranking courtesy a semifinal appearance at the All England Club and Leander Paes maintained his sixth position despite making a shock first round exit.
A failed bid at Wimbledon also affected Somdev Devvarman’s and Prakash Amrittraj’s rankings as the former lost three places to be 132 and latter went down by five spots to be at 159.
Somdev had lost his first qualifying round and Prakash faltered in the third and final round.
Mahesh Bhupathi gained a place to be at eighth in the men’s doubles ranking courtesy a semifinal appearance at the All England Club and Leander Paes maintained his sixth position despite making a shock first round exit.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Sania Mirza returns the ball during a first round match
http://saniamirzaindiaspride.blogspot.comSania Mirza returns the ball during a first round match against Germany's Anna-Lena Groenefeld at the All England Club. Mirza said she had to turn on the aggression to win her first round match at Wimbledon on Monday
Leander Paes and Cara Black defeated Mahesh Bhupathi and Sania Mirza
Leander Paes and his partner Cara Black defeated Mahesh Bhupathi and Sania Mirza to advance to the mixed doubles quarterfinals of Wimbledon Championships in London.
Top seeded Paes and Zimbabwean Black won 6-2 6-7 (2) 6-3 in the two-hour-and-seven-minute third-round contest, which was the first between the two pairs, on Monday night.
Paes and Black, who won the US Open mixed doubles title last year, were clearly the better pair in a rare match and also took advantage of the unforced errors committed by their opponents.
Thirteenth seeds Bhupathi and Sania committed nine double faults as compared to just one by their opponents though the all-Indian pair sent down more number of aces (6 to 3).
Paes and Black got as many as eight break points in the first set out of which they converted two to win it in 35 minutes.
Top seeded Paes and Zimbabwean Black won 6-2 6-7 (2) 6-3 in the two-hour-and-seven-minute third-round contest, which was the first between the two pairs, on Monday night.
Paes and Black, who won the US Open mixed doubles title last year, were clearly the better pair in a rare match and also took advantage of the unforced errors committed by their opponents.
Thirteenth seeds Bhupathi and Sania committed nine double faults as compared to just one by their opponents though the all-Indian pair sent down more number of aces (6 to 3).
Paes and Black got as many as eight break points in the first set out of which they converted two to win it in 35 minutes.
Wimbledon: Sania Mirza & Chia-Jung Chuang crash lands in second round
Already out of singles competition, Sania Mirza’s doubles campaign also ended after she and her partner Chia-Jung Chuang suffered a straight set loss to Alla Kudryavtseva and Monica Niculescu in the second round of the Wimbledon Championships here on Saturday.
The 15th seeded Indo-Taipei pair lost 2-6, 3-6 to the unseeded Russian-Romanian combination.
Sania and Chia had their chances but failed to grab on those. Out of seven break points they got they could convert just one and paid the price.
Sania’s singles campaign was cut short in the second round by her friend Sorana Cirstea.
The Indian would now look to put up a better show in the mixed doubles event as she has reached the second round with compatriot Mahesh Bhupathi.
The 15th seeded Indo-Taipei pair lost 2-6, 3-6 to the unseeded Russian-Romanian combination.
Sania and Chia had their chances but failed to grab on those. Out of seven break points they got they could convert just one and paid the price.
Sania’s singles campaign was cut short in the second round by her friend Sorana Cirstea.
The Indian would now look to put up a better show in the mixed doubles event as she has reached the second round with compatriot Mahesh Bhupathi.
Sania battles hard for victory
When she first arrived here — a starry-eyed little girl sporting a pony-tail, chaperoned by doting parents — to play in the girls’ singles championship all those years ago, Sania Mirza might have hardly imagined that the early part of her career as a professional tennis player would the play out the way it has — like a game of snakes and ladders.
In a few packed, emotionally-draining years since making a breakthrough at the Australian Open in January 2005, Sania, aged 22, has been through it all in a hurry — form slumps, a series of injuries, spectacular surges, controversies on and off the courts — and it is hardly a surprise that she often sounds like a world-weary veteran after being forced by circumstances to live her life in fast forward.
Annus horribilis
The year 2008 was something of an annus horribilis for Sania as she started the year at No.32 and ended it just inside the top 100, at 99. A first right wrist injury early in the year required surgery and forced her out of the game for several weeks. This was followed by another right wrist injury just before the Olympics.
In sport, as in life, sometimes it is necessary to plumb the depths to get a clear view of the way up. And Sania, still a long way from becoming the player she can be — the consistent winner that she wants to be in the process of discovering the limits of her own potential — did prove today that she is ready for the arduous task.
In a first round match of the 123rd Wimbledon tennis championships, on a cloudy, warm afternoon, Sania quickly overcame a mid-match slump as she beat Anna-Lena Groenefeld of Germany 6-2, 2-6, 6-2 to make her way to the second round.
After coming into the championship following her best tournament-run in a long, long time — a semifinal finish in the Aegon Classic on grass — the Indian star was unlikely to have been short on confidence. But after a dream start that saw her open up a 4-0 first set lead, Sania failed to impose herself on an opponent whose arsenal was mostly absent of heavy weaponry.
Then again, even if she blew hot and cold on the No.14 court where every single seat was taken and quite a few Indian fans had to crane their necks standing on the walkways to get a glimpse of the action, the woman from Hyderabad regrouped superbly after taking a break at the end of the second set.
Sania upped the ante on her serve, injected a strut into her court coverage and stepped in courageously for some rewarding fly-swatting on Anna-Lena’s second serves before finally blowing away her German opponent with an avalanche of blistering forehands.
Overall, it wasn’t the sort of performance that elicited a constant volley of Oohs and Aahs from the stands but it was a thoroughly professional demonstration of getting the job done on a big stage without too many missed heartbeats.
Last year, Sania, a bit rusty after coming in following a long injury-break, had failed to convert four matchpoints in the third set, losing to Martinez Sanchez, a qualifier in the second round.
This time, she plays Sorana Cirstea of Romania in the second round.
Not long after Sania returned to the locker room, the sport’s great summiteer got within six match victories of planting his Swiss flag on a peak no man has ever set foot on. Roger Federer, opening the proceedings on a brand new Centre Court in the absence of his friend and great rival Rafael Nadal, got past Yen-Hsun Lu from Chinese Taipei 7-5, 6-3, 6-2.
“Monday 1 p.m. It is a very privileged spot. Gets your heart beating, that’s for sure. He was a tough opponent,” said the five-time champion, after playing for the first time since winning a title — the French Open — that had long proved vanishingly elusive. “Rafa had dominated the championship (French) for so long. For me it was an unbelievable feeling,” said Federer.
Earlier in the day, Andreas Seppi of Italy upset James Blake (seeded 17) of the United States 7-5, 6-4, 7-6(5).
‘’This is something that has been my worst Slam, I don’t know why,” said a disappointed Blake. “Just didn’t feel like myself out there today.”
In a few packed, emotionally-draining years since making a breakthrough at the Australian Open in January 2005, Sania, aged 22, has been through it all in a hurry — form slumps, a series of injuries, spectacular surges, controversies on and off the courts — and it is hardly a surprise that she often sounds like a world-weary veteran after being forced by circumstances to live her life in fast forward.
Annus horribilis
The year 2008 was something of an annus horribilis for Sania as she started the year at No.32 and ended it just inside the top 100, at 99. A first right wrist injury early in the year required surgery and forced her out of the game for several weeks. This was followed by another right wrist injury just before the Olympics.
In sport, as in life, sometimes it is necessary to plumb the depths to get a clear view of the way up. And Sania, still a long way from becoming the player she can be — the consistent winner that she wants to be in the process of discovering the limits of her own potential — did prove today that she is ready for the arduous task.
In a first round match of the 123rd Wimbledon tennis championships, on a cloudy, warm afternoon, Sania quickly overcame a mid-match slump as she beat Anna-Lena Groenefeld of Germany 6-2, 2-6, 6-2 to make her way to the second round.
After coming into the championship following her best tournament-run in a long, long time — a semifinal finish in the Aegon Classic on grass — the Indian star was unlikely to have been short on confidence. But after a dream start that saw her open up a 4-0 first set lead, Sania failed to impose herself on an opponent whose arsenal was mostly absent of heavy weaponry.
Then again, even if she blew hot and cold on the No.14 court where every single seat was taken and quite a few Indian fans had to crane their necks standing on the walkways to get a glimpse of the action, the woman from Hyderabad regrouped superbly after taking a break at the end of the second set.
Sania upped the ante on her serve, injected a strut into her court coverage and stepped in courageously for some rewarding fly-swatting on Anna-Lena’s second serves before finally blowing away her German opponent with an avalanche of blistering forehands.
Overall, it wasn’t the sort of performance that elicited a constant volley of Oohs and Aahs from the stands but it was a thoroughly professional demonstration of getting the job done on a big stage without too many missed heartbeats.
Last year, Sania, a bit rusty after coming in following a long injury-break, had failed to convert four matchpoints in the third set, losing to Martinez Sanchez, a qualifier in the second round.
This time, she plays Sorana Cirstea of Romania in the second round.
Not long after Sania returned to the locker room, the sport’s great summiteer got within six match victories of planting his Swiss flag on a peak no man has ever set foot on. Roger Federer, opening the proceedings on a brand new Centre Court in the absence of his friend and great rival Rafael Nadal, got past Yen-Hsun Lu from Chinese Taipei 7-5, 6-3, 6-2.
“Monday 1 p.m. It is a very privileged spot. Gets your heart beating, that’s for sure. He was a tough opponent,” said the five-time champion, after playing for the first time since winning a title — the French Open — that had long proved vanishingly elusive. “Rafa had dominated the championship (French) for so long. For me it was an unbelievable feeling,” said Federer.
Earlier in the day, Andreas Seppi of Italy upset James Blake (seeded 17) of the United States 7-5, 6-4, 7-6(5).
‘’This is something that has been my worst Slam, I don’t know why,” said a disappointed Blake. “Just didn’t feel like myself out there today.”
Wimbledon Tennis Championship:Sania Mirza and Chia-Jung Chuang in seconf round
India’s Sania Mirza and Chia-Jung Chuang of Chinese Taipei defeated American Jill Craybas and Carly Gullickson 6-4, 6-2 in the first round of the women’s doubles at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships here Thursday.The Indo-Chinese pair, seeded 15th, will next face Russian Alla Kudryavtseva and Romania’s Monica Niculescu, who beat Spaniard Lourdes Dominguez Lino and Arantxa Parra Santonja 7-5, 4-6, 6-1.
Sania and Chuang had difficulty in holding their service, and so had their opponents in the first set. Sania and Chuang dropped their serve twice, but broke their opponents thrice.
The American pair saved seven break points before Sania and Chuang broke them in the fourth game.
Craybas and Gullickson came back twice, but each time Sania and Chuang got back the lead and finally closed out the set in the 10th game.
Sania and Chuang were in full control in the second set and wrapped it up with two break of serves.
Sania and Chuang had difficulty in holding their service, and so had their opponents in the first set. Sania and Chuang dropped their serve twice, but broke their opponents thrice.
The American pair saved seven break points before Sania and Chuang broke them in the fourth game.
Craybas and Gullickson came back twice, but each time Sania and Chuang got back the lead and finally closed out the set in the 10th game.
Sania and Chuang were in full control in the second set and wrapped it up with two break of serves.
Wimbledon:Sorana Cirstea ends Sania Mirza’s singles campaign
Sania Mirza’s singles campaign at the Wimbledon championships ended with a 4-6 4-6 second round loss to Romanian 28th seed Sorana Cirstea here today.
Unforced errors proved costly for the Indian in the one-hour-22-minute contest as she yet again failed to move beyond the second round here.
Sania played mostly from the baseline but struggled to keep her booming strokes within the court.
The inability to win points on serve added to the woes of the unseeded Indian against an opponent ranked as high as 27th in the world.
Sania had the first opportunity to get a break but Cirstea denied her friend the favour.
Sania then committed a double fault in the fifth game to hand the Romanian a break chance.
Sania saved four breakpoints in that game but another double fault undid all the good work
Unforced errors proved costly for the Indian in the one-hour-22-minute contest as she yet again failed to move beyond the second round here.
Sania played mostly from the baseline but struggled to keep her booming strokes within the court.
The inability to win points on serve added to the woes of the unseeded Indian against an opponent ranked as high as 27th in the world.
Sania had the first opportunity to get a break but Cirstea denied her friend the favour.
Sania then committed a double fault in the fifth game to hand the Romanian a break chance.
Sania saved four breakpoints in that game but another double fault undid all the good work
Wimbledo:Sania Mirza’s lost her clothes
Sorana Cirstea and Sania Mirza are such good friends off the tennis court that when Mirza arrived at Wimbledon with a light suitcase she knew who to turn to for a supply of spare clothes.
Thus it was 19-year-old Cirstea’s kit that saw them both safely through to today’s second round of the women’s singles, where the two girls will face each other across the net.
Fortunately, the wardrobe issue has already been sorted out. Mirza, the 22-year-old from India who beat Germany’s Anna-Lena Groenefeld 6-2, 2-6, 6-2 in the first round, has been shopping. “I don’t need to borrow stuff from Sorana again,” she said.
Friendship now has to be put aside as she faces the Romanian 28th seed, who appeared out of nowhere to beat two top 10 players on the way to the quarter-finals at Roland Garros.
Mirza said: “We’re both professionals and we know where to draw the line.”
Thus it was 19-year-old Cirstea’s kit that saw them both safely through to today’s second round of the women’s singles, where the two girls will face each other across the net.
Fortunately, the wardrobe issue has already been sorted out. Mirza, the 22-year-old from India who beat Germany’s Anna-Lena Groenefeld 6-2, 2-6, 6-2 in the first round, has been shopping. “I don’t need to borrow stuff from Sorana again,” she said.
Friendship now has to be put aside as she faces the Romanian 28th seed, who appeared out of nowhere to beat two top 10 players on the way to the quarter-finals at Roland Garros.
Mirza said: “We’re both professionals and we know where to draw the line.”
Sania to meet Groenefeld
In the Wimbledon ladies’ singles, India’s Sania Mirza has been drawn to play against Germany’s World No. 51 AnnaLena Groenefeld in the first round.
In doubles, Sania and her Taipei partner ChiaJung Chuang, seeded 15th, will take on the unseeded American pair of Jill Craybas and Carly Gullickson.
In doubles, Sania and her Taipei partner ChiaJung Chuang, seeded 15th, will take on the unseeded American pair of Jill Craybas and Carly Gullickson.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Aegon International : Another loss, out of doubles also
Sania Mirza and Chia-Jung Chuang of Chinese Taipei bowed out of the Aegon International tennis with a first-round defeat against fourth-seeded Australians Samantha Stosur and Rennae Stubbs 5-7, 4-6 on Tuesday.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Sania suffering from hip-strain
Sania Mirza conceded her first round singles match of the qualifying event of the $ 600,000 Aegon International in Eastbourne after suffering a hip-strain.
The Indian ace was trailing 4-6 2-3 against Alexandra Dulgheru of Romania on Sunday when she opted out of the contest.
Sania though will play in the doubles event along with Chia-Jung Chuang of Chinese Taipei.
The unseeded Indo-Taipei duo will take on fourth seeded Australian pair of Samantha Stosur and Rennae Stubbs.
Sania had made the singles and doubles semifinals of the Aegon Classic last week and probably continued tennis througout the week combined with long travel from Birmingham to Eastbourne took a toll on her.
In the men's event Leander Paes and his Czech partner Lukas Dlouhy have been given the top billing and they will open their campaign against Polish pair of Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski.
Mahesh Bhupathi and Mark Knowles, seeded second, will play their first round match against Stephen Huss of Australia and local Ross Hutchins.
The Indian ace was trailing 4-6 2-3 against Alexandra Dulgheru of Romania on Sunday when she opted out of the contest.
Sania though will play in the doubles event along with Chia-Jung Chuang of Chinese Taipei.
The unseeded Indo-Taipei duo will take on fourth seeded Australian pair of Samantha Stosur and Rennae Stubbs.
Sania had made the singles and doubles semifinals of the Aegon Classic last week and probably continued tennis througout the week combined with long travel from Birmingham to Eastbourne took a toll on her.
In the men's event Leander Paes and his Czech partner Lukas Dlouhy have been given the top billing and they will open their campaign against Polish pair of Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski.
Mahesh Bhupathi and Mark Knowles, seeded second, will play their first round match against Stephen Huss of Australia and local Ross Hutchins.
Sania mirza steamrolls to 78 in the latest WTA singles rankings
Riding on her semifinal appearance in the just concluded Aegon Classic, Indian ace Sania Mirza jumped 20 places to reach 78 in the latest WTA singles rankings, released on Monday.
After a prolonged lean patch, the Hyderabadi did exceedingly well at the grass court event where she also made it to the semifinals of the doubles event.
Sania also rose two rungs to be at 35th spot in the doubles ranking.
However, there was no change in the men's doubles rankings where Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi retained their fifth and ninth spots respectively.
Somdev Devvarman, who is struggling these days, also remained unchanged at 132, though he continues to be India's numero uno player.
After a prolonged lean patch, the Hyderabadi did exceedingly well at the grass court event where she also made it to the semifinals of the doubles event.
Sania also rose two rungs to be at 35th spot in the doubles ranking.
However, there was no change in the men's doubles rankings where Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi retained their fifth and ninth spots respectively.
Somdev Devvarman, who is struggling these days, also remained unchanged at 132, though he continues to be India's numero uno player.
Aegon Classic: Sania-Chuang pair crashes out
Her singles campaign over, Sania Mirza's doubles campaign also came to an end after the Indian and her Chinese Taipei partner Chuang Chia-Jung lost in straight sets in the semifinals of the Aegon Classic tennis tournament here.
The third-seeded Indo-Taipei pair lost 5-7 3-6 to the top seeded Zimbabwean-American pair of Cara Black and Liezel Huber last night.
Sania had earlier crashed out of the singles competition of the USD 220,000 Wimbledon warm-up event after losing to 13th seeded Slovakian Magdalena Rybarikova in the semifinals
The third-seeded Indo-Taipei pair lost 5-7 3-6 to the top seeded Zimbabwean-American pair of Cara Black and Liezel Huber last night.
Sania had earlier crashed out of the singles competition of the USD 220,000 Wimbledon warm-up event after losing to 13th seeded Slovakian Magdalena Rybarikova in the semifinals
Sania Mirza hits a shot during her women's semi-final tennis match against Magdalena Rybarikova
Sania Mirza of India hits a shot during her women's semi-final tennis match against Magdalena Rybarikova of Slovakia at the Aegon Classic in Birmingham, England, Saturday June 13, 2009http://saniamirzaindiaspride.blogspot.com
Aegon Classic: Sania Mirza watches the ball during her women's semi-final tennis match
Sania Mirza of India watches the ball during her women's semi-final tennis match against Magdalena Rybarikova of Slovakia at the Aegon Classic in Birmingham, England, Saturday June 13, 2009http://saniamirzaindiaspride.blogspot.com
Aegon Classic : Sania Mirza in action in semis
Sania Mirza of India hits a shot during her women's semi-final tennis match against Magdalena Rybarikova of Slovakia at the Aegon Classic in Birmingham, England, Saturday June 13, 2009http://saniamirzaindiaspride.blogspot.com
Sania Mirza reacts after winning her women's quarter-final
Sania Mirza reacts after winning her women's quarter-final tennis match against Melinda Czink of Hungary at the Aegon Classic in Birmingham, England, Friday June 12, 2009http://saniamirzaindiaspride.blogspot.com
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