Melbourne, Jan 18: Indian cricket team was not alone to have experienced the sporting wars Down Under but India's tennis sensation Sania Mirza, too, had a tough fortnight following charges of failing to respect the Indian flag at Perth's Hopman Cup a fortnight ago.

Mirza was supportive for team India but said she was too disturbed by the controversies that sorrounded her. The 21-year-old was quoted as saying by The Australian, ''Obviously as an Indian I am in support of India, but I think I have my own set of controversies. I am going to leave the rest to them.'' The 31st seed Indian has now entered the second round of Australian Open after she defeated Uzbekistan's Iroda Tulyaganova 6-4 6-2 yesterday.

During her Hopman Cup campaign in Perth, Mirza was caught in camera while she was sitting bare feet facing the national tricolour, an offence under the country's Prevention of Insult to the National Honour Act that carries a penalty of three years' jail and a fine.

Meanwhile, Fundamentalists back home have issued a 'fatwa' against her for wearing short skirts and singlet tops. The Indian's effigies were also burnt after she was accused of supporting pre-marital sex.

The world number 32 seemed disturbed by the various controversies around her and claimed she was finding it hard to focus on the game.

''I am not super-human and it does affect me,'' she admitted.

''In the circumstances I am just happy that I came through the first round, because I am expected to win this match. I am expected to go through it easily,'' she added.

Earlier, Mirza had revealed that she even once thought of quitting the game over flag furore.

''A lot of things went through my head and one of the thoughts was (quitting), but I'm not saying I was serious enough that I am going to quit right now,'' she said.

UNI