The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Sania weaves the magic once again

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 15, 2006

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Sania weaves the magic once again

Kalyan Ashok

BANGALORE: The elderly Muslim man with a flowing white beard waiting to buy an entry ticket for the WTA Bangalore Open 2006 made an unusual sight.

Clad in a black overcoat and sporting a fez cap, Mohammed Ismail was there to watch Sania Mirza in action.

"I have heard so much about this girl who has worked wonders to boost our `izzat.' I just wanted to see her," he said.

You see I am no great fan of tennis, but then I just wanted to be here,'' he added.

There was another one in the crowd, Kiran, who claimed that he has seen Sania win her maiden WTA title in Hyderabad. He said that he follows her career keenly.

"She is the biggest asset to Indian sports after Sachin Tendulkar," said the young man.

Just before the start of her tie, Governor T.N. Chaturvedi walked in. And everyone seemed to be a Sania fan.

Adulation

Curiosity and adulation loomed large at the stadium as fans poured in to watch the Indian wonder kid take on Martina Muller of Germany. .

There were placards reading, "We love you, Sania," and ones that spelt out Sania as "Sportive, Attractive, Noticeable, Interesting, Ace."

As the stands got filled up and 1100 Lux floodlights turned on the court, the spotlight was on Sania.

And each shot of hers won great applause.

Will Sania do her Hyderabad act? The field sure has some good players, but that need not cause worry to the Indian ace who is determined to do her best.Sania went on defeating her rival, ensuring another big turnout for her next match.

Bangalore Open is surely catching on...

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