Sania's win over Hingis is not surprising: Mahesh

Kolkata, Aug 8 (UNI) Tennis ace Mahesh Bhupathi today said Sania Mirza's victory over Martina Hingis in East West Bank Classic was not a surprise as she is capable of much more if she lives up to her potential.

Talking to the media over phone from Canada, on the occasion of announcing the marquee players for Sunfeast Open, Bhupathi said, ''To tell the truth, I am not surprised or shocked. I always knew she was capable of making it big.'' ''She is on a roll now and hope to climb bigger heights. She has always been an exciting prospect and is playing upto her potential now,'' he added.

Sania beat Monday blues to break into the top-30 in the world rankings and ended a 20-year drought to become the first Indian to be in that slot after Ramesh Krishnan, who was ranked 23 in 1987.

As the 20-year-old climbed the rankings, she raised the hopes of a billion Indians, who consider her as the country's answer to Maria Sharapova high on style and content.

A deserving youth icon, Sania, who was on a roll lately, has added a new victim to her list of top 20 players.

The Hyderabadi hurricane has beaten World No 12 Martina Hingis in the second round of the East West Bank Classic. Sania has now played Hingis four times and the overall head to head count is 2-2.

Sania took one hour 36 minutes to wrap up the match 6-2, 2-6, 6-4.

Sania has over the last few weeks downed the likes of Tatiana Golovin, Patty Schnyder, Dinara Safina and now Hingis.

''She will be a special attraction in the Sunfeast Open,'' he said.

Bhupathi also said, ''This is the biggest Sunfeast Open with a fab mixture of glamour and talent. We have tried to put together some of the finest names in tennis. Danilela Hantuchova, Maria Krilenko and Marion Bartolli are some of the biggest names along with Sania.'' Asked on his future engagements, he said, ''Next I will play in Cincinatti.'' The 21st ranked doubles pro will partner Scottish Jamie Murray of Great Britain (ranked 30) in Cincinnati, while Pavel Vizner of Czech Republic (Ranked 16) will partner with him in the Canadian Open.

UNI