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Journalism of Courage
Indian doubles ace Mahesh Bhupathi predicted at the Chennai Open recently: ‘‘If any Indian were to crack into the Top-100 it would be a female.’’ And Bhupathi was proved right when Sania Mirza took one giant step by recording her maiden Grand Slam win over Cindy Watson at the Australian Open on the first day.
The 34 WTA points she earned for her effort will see Sania — presently ranked 166 on the WTA — move into the Top-150, a milestone only Nirupama Vaidyanathan had achieved at the Open in 1998. Besides Nirupama and Sania, the India-born, US-based Shikha Uberoi had achieved a similar feat but it came when she cleared the first hurdle at the US Open last year.
But the 18-year-old Sania’s feat is historic since she is the youngest Indian women’s player to do so. Nirupama was 22 while Shikha was 21.
Sania and Nirupama have a lot in common when it comes to Grand Slams. Both achieved their feats at the Australian Open, both gained entry as wild-cards and also lost the opening set.
Talking to The Indian Express, Sania said, ‘‘Niru’s feat was never on my mind. But she was and will remain as someone who has been phenomenal for women’s tennis in India.’’
What was bothering Sania was the din in the stands since she was playing against a local girl. ‘‘It was tough concentrating, thanks to the seven full rows of Cindy’s friends and family,’’ she said.
Sania hopes things will be better in the second round when she meets Petra Mandula of Hungary. But considering that Petra happens to be a top-30 player, Sania admits ‘‘it will not be easy.’’
Sania has taken on players in the top 30-40 before. Last year it was Nicole Pratt at the Hyderabad Open and then Emile Loit in Morocco.
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WOMEN OF SUBSTANCE
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Parallel kerosene, LPG sale mooted 2004:US Open 2005: Australian Open SANIA’S WONDER YEARS 2003 Story continues below this ad 2004 2005 |
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