Sania cracks the 200 barrier

Planning her career is the biggest plus point. This will be the last year as a junior player, as her birthday is on November 15, she will be eligible to participate in more tournaments. Till now she had restricted entries. Her immediate plans would be to take part in as many as $50,000 tournaments. She even will have chance to play in a few WTA qualifying meets.

An excited Imran, father of Sania, attributed her string of successes to her stint with coach Bob Brett. ‘‘She has improved her game tremendously. Starting with a 430 ranking in June this year, Sania has jumped 235 places to take the 195th ranking. ‘‘Breaking into 200 rankings is itself a big achievement. She has improved her service. It has become sharp. Apart from that she is able to play the backhand shots also very well and she is confidently playing the volleys. Above all, there is amazing improvement in her fitness level. Her stint with Brett did a world of good,’’ said Imran.

Terming Sania’s recent showing as quite phenomenal, Mishra said, ‘‘Sania is indeed an exciting prospect. She is on the right path. Sania, who is sponsored by GVK Industries and managed by Globo Sport, is keen to excel in higher ranking tournaments.

‘‘She is the best thing to happen to Indian women’s tennis. She is a hard working player and she has also the talent, said Narendernath, former National hard-court champion. Narendernath who quite often practices with Sania whenever she is in Hyderabad, felt her forehand shots is one of the powerful weapons. ‘‘She is moving her feet very well and able to play some sharp shots on both backhand and forehand. This is a good sign.’’

For the record, Sania has won ten ITF tournaments, starting with Hyderabad tournament in 2000, with six of them coming this year. It is indeed a progress which will motivate her to perform in difficult tournaments in future.