January 09, 2008	Wednesday	Zilhaj 29, 1428

MELBOURNE, Jan 8: As one of the most recognisable faces in India, Sania Mirza is already something of an expert when it comes to dealing with pressure.

The eyes of a sporting nation will again be upon her at next week’s Australian Open but Sania believes her relaxed nature, as much as her ability, will be a key factor in helping her to have a strong run at Melbourne Park.

Having broken into the top 30 last year, Sania, one of the hardest hitters on the women’s tour, has been tipped as one of the players to watch in 2008.

However, she said she was in no hurry to prove herself.

“It’s getting better, and it will come – if not next week then by Melbourne and if not by Melbourne then in Fed Cup,” the world No 31 said in an interview.

“I am obviously not completely happy because I still feel like I have a few things to improve, but it’s coming together.”

Sania missed two months in early 2007 after knee surgery and struggled with right wrist and abdominal injuries late last year, causing an early end to her season.

Staying fit, Sania said, was her immediate priority.

“At this point I would just like to stay healthy. Last year I said I wanted to be top 30, I said it to myself – I didn’t really tell anyone else.

“When I did get injured, it seemed like everything was going out the window, I really don’t want to look too far ahead of myself.”

Sania suffered from soreness in her first outing of the year, at the Hopman Cup in Perth, and admitted that every time she feels some pain, she worries it might be a long-term injury.

“You don’t freak out but it is a bit concerning,” she said. “But you just have to live with the injuries, it’s part of sport. You just have to keep taking care of yourself but I think it’s only early season soreness.”

Sania’s best Grand-Slam showing was a fourth round appearance at the US Open in 2005 and she has never been beyond round three in three visits to Melbourne Park.

“Most probably I will be seeded, which is a good thing. You don’t meet one of the big players in the first or second rounds which is obviously good,” she said.

To achieve a place in the top 20, though, Sania said she would need to become more consistent.

“Every step (in the rankings) gets bigger,” she said.

“Not in terms of just playing, it’s not about the way you play because anyone can beat anyone in the men’s game or in the women’s. It’s really not about the ranking, it’s about consistency and being able to do it over and over again, week in, week out.”

Sania’s popularity in India rivals that of the country’s revered cricketers, who are currently touring Australia.—Reuters