Date:29/06/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/06/29/stories/2007062957172101.htm

Sport - Tennis

We are good friends: Sania

London: Sania Mirza brushed aside questions about whether her decision to partner Israel’s Shahar Peer in the women’s doubles competition at Wimbledon would create a controversy in certain circles.

Peer, world ranked No.16, and Sania, ranked No.44, are seeded 16 in the event.

“She has a good backhand and I have a good forehand. We are tennis players and we want to win matches. There is nothing more to it,” said the 20-year-old Indian after losing to Nadia Petrova in the second round.

“I have said this before and I will repeat myself. We are good friends and we decided to play together.”

About her loss to Petrova, Sania said that she was not aggressive enough. “Her serve and my serve made the difference and overall I felt I was not aggressive enough.

“Although I lost two and two, I felt that I had my chances. I did not take them,” said Sania. — Tennis Correspondent