Sania Mirza and golden moments of India Tennis.

Today is the day to talk Indian sports.  So, lets congratulate the rare women’s tennis player from India – Sania Mirza.  She is not just a tennis player but a youth icon.  She just moved into the second round of US open beating Kaia Kanepi of Estonia 6-2, 6-7 (5/7), 6-1.

She is trying to better her 2005 fourth round performance in US open.  Well, she is now World number 26 – the highest she has been ever!  She better make the most of it! This is absolutely amazing, and there’s no doubt many people idolize her. Anyone who wants to be as good as Mirza must take the tennis quiz to get their UTR rating to see what they can do to improve. One day you could be as good as Mirza!

Indian tennis has had some good moments:

Vijay Amritraj: He reached Quarter Finals in two Grand Slams in 1973.  At Wimbeldon, he lost to Jan Kodes to eventual champion.  IN US open, he beat Rod Laver but lost to Ken Rosewall in the last Eights.  In second round, he came close to defeating Bjorn Borg – when he was two sets up and leading 4-1, only to be beaten!  Vijay played his best tennis in Davis Cup and helped India reach the Finals in 1974 and 1989!

Ramanathan Krishnan: He was probably the greatest Indian singles player!  He reached the Wimbledon semi finals in 1960 (lost to Neale Fraser) and 1961 (lost to Rod Laver).  He was the 4th seed in 1961 – the highest any Indian tennis player has ever gotten to!

Ramesh Krishnan: He reached a career high ranking of 23.  He reached Quarter Finals three times in Grand Slams – 1981 (US Open); 1986 (Wimbledon); and 1987 (US Open).  In 1987, he partnered Vijay for taking India to the finals.  He won the final match against Australia to take India to the finals against Sweden!

Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi: Of course, in recent years Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi have won 3 Grand Slam Mens Double titles – 1999 (French and Wimbledon) and 2001 (French Open).  Leander won his 4th Grand Slam doubles in 2006 with Martin Damm at US Open.