Sania beats world no 25 in World Team Challenge

Earlier,the Indian ace teamed up with Chinese Zheng Jie to clinch the doubles final 6-1 6-1 against the pair of Europe captain and world number one Jelena Jankovic of Serbia and Portugal8217;s Michelle Larcher de Brito.

The wins gave Asia-Pacific a 2-0 lead in the three-match finals before Jankovic8217;s pull-out from the reverse singles made it 3-0.

Jankovic opted out of the match against Jie on Saturday due to flu which the Serb said had left her 8220;feeling weak and sick for the last couple of days8221;.

Asia-Pacific could not make the Gold Group finals of the exhibition tournament after losing to Team Russia. Sania had gone down to old nemesis Ana Chakvetadze 4-6 4-6 in that semi-final rubber.

The twin wins on Friday night come as massive confidence boosters for the injury-ravaged Indian ahead of the Australian Open this month.

The 21-year-old was off courts for most part of the year 2008 due to injuries with a wrist ailment deteriorating to career-threatening proportion.

The Hyderabadi,who relies heavily on her power-packed forehands,was unable to even lift a fork while being treated for the wrist injury,as a result of which her rankings also plummeted.