Sania Mirza - Definition and Overview

Sania Mirza (born November 15, 1986) is an Indian lawn tennis player. She won the Wimbledon Championships Girls' Doubles title in 2003, teaming up with Alisa Kleybanova of Russia.

She got a wild card entry to the 2005 Australian Open and created history by becoming the first Indian woman to enter the third round of a Grand Slam tournament when she defeated Hungary's Petra Mandula 6-2, 6-1 in less than an hour. This gave her an opportunity to play 7th-seeded Serena Williams in the 3rd round, the biggest match of her life. Despite losing the match 6-1, 6-4, she was acclaimed for her effort especially in the second set.

Career Highlights

• 2005 Australian Open singles - 3rd round - first Indian woman to reach the 3rd round of a Grand Slam tournament
• 2004 Hyderabad Open doubles - winner (with Liezel Huber) - youngest Indian to win a WTA or ATP tour title and the first Indian woman to capture a WTA tour title
• 2003 Wimbledon Open junior doubles - winner (with Alisa Kleybanova) - youngest Indian and first Indian woman to win a junior Grand Slam title

See also

• List of Wimbledon champions
• List of female tennis players

External links

• "Sania Mirza wins, makes history" (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/993007.cms) - Times of India article dated January 17, 2005
• "Serena ends Sania Mirza's dream" (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/4193973.stm) - BBC article dated January 21, 2005
• An Interview (http://www.rediff.com/cms/print.jsp?docpath=//sports/2005/jan/24sinter.htm) in Rediff.com