Delhi cheers for Saina Mirza

NEW DELHI - The centre court at the R.K. Khanna Tennis Stadium reverberated with the cries of “Go Sania!” and “C’mon Sania” as the Indian struggled to find her rhythm in her semi-final match against the sixth-seeded Olivia Rogowska of Australia before hurtling to a win which ensured India at least a silver in the women’s singles.

Even second-seeded Sania was surprised by the vociferous support from the nearly-packed stands.

I have played a lot in Delhi and I know how the crowd here is like. But today the turnout was very unlike the usual. I was trailing in the match and for the first time I heard someone saying, ‘Let’s cheer her up!’ This is the first time I have heard anyone saying that. It was exceptional, Sania said after making a place in the final.

Maybe it is because of Commonwealth Game, everyone is patriotic and excited. It was not a complete tennis crowd, they were not aware that they are not supposed to cheer when the points are being played. But they were behind me and that’s what matters.

The 23-year-old Indian felt for her Australian opponent, who put up a brave face against a heavily partisan crowd.

I am it sure was tough for her. It is hard not to be distracted. But she never showed that she was affected. I don’t know whether she was just pretending to be calm but she actually came fighting whenever she was down.”

It was a forgettable outing for Sania, who struggled with her game. But she hoped to get her act together for the final.

I definitely did not play my best tennis. But there are days when you struggle and it is important to come through such matches. She (Rogowska) also played very well. She was seeing everything which I was not. If she plays like this consistently, she could be in top-50. But taking no credit from her, even I allowed her to play like this, Sania said.

Sania, watched by husband, former Pakistan cricket captain Shoaib Malik, parents Imran and Nasima and sister Anam, feels she has matured as a player and the manner in which she clawed her way back into the match reflects that.

Earlier, I would be stubborn and insist on attacking with my forehand even when I am trailing in the match. But today I was thinking to shift gears and first putting the ball in court. Today I knew I have to get the ball into court whatever the speed may be. This is where the experience counts, she said.

Sania was elated that India’s No.1 men’s singles player Somdev Devvarman has also made it to the final of the competition and hoped they will win gold for India.

It is an exciting time for Indian tennis and a great achievement. A few years ago, no one would have expected India to be in the final of men’s and women’s singles. Somdev is in great form, he loves wearing down his opponents. He is the top seed and expected to win. Hope we can win the gold for India, she said.

(Pragya Tiwari can be contacted at pragya.t@ians.in)