Great going for Sania, says S P Mishra

Hyderabad, July 30 (UNI) This sports loving pearl city is elated over its darling daughter, tennis star Sania Mirza performing creditably in international arena and winning two doubles titles and finishing runner up in one singles event in the last two weeks.

This included former Davis Cupper S P Mishra.

Talking to UNI, Mishra congratulated Sania for showing consistency in performance in the last couple of weeks. He also hoped that she would reach the top 10 in the WTA rankings.

''It's great going for Sania. It is not easy to play and continue the winning streak for two weeks. Her fitness is good. But she must maintain it for the US Open, the last Grand Slam of the year in New York, next month,'' Mishra said.

He said, ''Just playing and winning is no issue, Sania has beaten three top ranked players Akiko Morigami, Tatiana Golovin, Patty Schnyder and Sybille Bammer on the trot. This is not an easy thing.'' ''Sania may have been outclassed in the singles finals. But her progress to the final was great and I wish she concentrates more in singles'' he opined.

However, Mishra said, ''It is a wonderfull thing that Sania beat the same opponent Anna Chakvetadze in the doubles final. But I cannot say she has taken revenge.'' ''One should appreciate Sania as after spending two months in a wheelchair after her surgery, she continued her winning spree on the circuit and reached her best ranking of 31 in WTA. Her previous best was in October 2005,'' Mishra said.

The good thing I observed in her is she is now moving freely and briskly on the court. It shows the level of her fitness and physical training. She must maintain it to reach the top 10 ranking in the circuit.

''At this rate, I will not be surprised even if Sania breaks into top 10 by the end of January next,'' Mishra added.

UNI