Venus match gave me confidence

Clay and Sania Mirza have never been particularly fast friends,a fact affirmed by her record at Roland Garros...

Clay and Sania Mirza have never been particularly fast friends,a fact affirmed by her record at Roland Garros,which happens to be her worst of all the Slams. Her first season on the surface since her wrist surgery last year,then,would hardly appear an appetising prospect for the Indian.

On Wednesday night,though,as she battled second seed and world No 5 Venus Williams for two and a half hours on the green clay at the Family Circle Cup in Charleston,thoughts of a better run on the surface this time around must surely have entered her mind. She eventually gave the American another number to their head-to-head record after losing 6-1 3-6 6-2 in the second round,but nevertheless,took plenty away from the match.

In my opinion,Venus and Serena are two of the toughest opponents to face in the world. This is the first time Ive taken a set from either of the siblings. It gives me a lot of confidence, Mirza told The Indian Express by email. She last played Venus at the 2008 Australian Open,going down 7-6 (0) 6-4.

Giving it all

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On Wednesday,she recovered from a poor first serve number of 42 per cent in the first set,and saved 10 of 11 break points in the second. She took the second set on the back of the only two break points she created,after being 3-1 down at the beginning of it. The challenge turned out to be one she couldnt sustain,but the words of praise from her tired adversary at the end of the match would have added to her sense of having given it her all.

Sania refused to consider her past record in her most erratic part of the season,and instead said she had been working harder than ever since her wrist was treated last year. Ive worked very hard on my game since I first entered the circuit in 2005,even though the two surgeries I had obviously pushed me back. But when I enter the court,I like to believe I have as good a chance as the player across the net,irrespective of the surface. Ill continue to improve my strengths and work on my weaknesses as the clay season goes on, she added. Overall,Im feeling good,though there are a few niggles. Fitness remains a priority.

The 22-year-old moves on to the clay circuit in Europe next in the run-up to the French Open,and then moves on to the grass before Wimbledon,but in the middle of her hectic schedule,she has no doubt about being able to squeeze in a bit of the Indian Premier League madness from South Africa. I hope to follow the matches whenever I find the time. Ill be rooting for my home team the Deccan Chargers, she says.