I am happy with my season's performance: Sania

Hyderabad, Sep 9 (UNI) After setting the US courts on fire, tennis sensation Sania Mirza expressed satisfaction with her performance in the 42 matches she played this season, which also helped her to climb up the laderboard to the 27th spot in the WTA rankings.

Talking to newspersons here today, Sania said, ''I never expected to reach this far after a three-month lay off due to my knee injury.

''The wins against 18th ranked Tatiana Golovin of France, 20th ranked Sybelle Bammer of Austria, 12th ranked Patty Schnyder of Switzerland, 16th ranked Dinara Safin in the Acura Classic and former world number one Martina Hingis of Switzerland in the East West Bank Classic at Los Angeles helped me gain more confidence.'' The 20-year-old Hyderabadi also expressed happiness on a hat-trick of doubles' titles she won this season with different parners.

''I am happy to win three doubles titles with three different partners. I have a better rapport with all my partners to excel in the court,'' Sania said.

She, was however, satisfied with her US Open performance where she lost in the third round in singles against world number six Anna Chakvatadze of Russia.

''Its altogether a different level of game. I have played not so badly in US Open. Losing thrice to Chakvatadze is not a bad thing as she is world no six and a better player.

''I started the year at 66th position and finished at being 27th ranked. I did not set any goals for the year,'' Sania said.

She also informed that David Urpi will don the duties of full time coach for her as he and her (Sania's) father's combination works wonder.

''Every day I learn something new. David Urpi will be my full time coach. My dad and Urpi's combination works well. I have a trainer too, but not a psychologist. Urpi will come down to Kolkata where I will take part in Sunfeast Open,'' she said.

UNI