Date:18/09/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/09/18/stories/2007091861682100.htm

Sport

Sania withdraws

Amitabha Das Sharma

KOLKATA: The prolonged speculations about Sania Mirza’s participation in the Sunfeast Open came to an end late on Monday evening when it officially announced that her injury was serious enough to keep her off the tour for at least two weeks.

“Sania Mirza has decided to withdraw from the Sunfeast Open owing to a right wrist sprain,” announced Jill Hausler, who is looking after the media for the WTA here. Sandy Gumulya of Indonesia will be coming in place of Sania as the lucky loser, it was announced.

In a statement issued to the media, Mirza was quoted as saying: “I was really looking forward to participating at Sunfeast Open. I am very upset that this injury is keeping me away from the courts. My fans have always been very supportive and I was keen to perform well in Kolkata. I wish all the players especially the Indian compatriots a great and exciting tournament.” The injury will keep Mirza away from next week’s Hansol Korea Open in Seoul too.

“We sincerely wish Sania will be able to play in the Japan Open in the first week of October,” Hausler said.