Sania happy with her fitness

May 19, 2006

The spring is back in Sania Mirza's stride. Returning from a three-week rehabilitation programme, the world.s No. 35th ranked player started her preparation for the French Open starting later this month in real earnest.

And Sania looked quite convinced with her fitness during a practice session at the faraway GVK Tennis Foundation courts here on Thursday.

There was no trace of pain as she sparred with former National hardcourt champion S Narendranath. If her serve, groundstrokes and movements appeared a wee bit rusty, it was mainly because she did not really exert herself.

She appeared to be just giving herself a test whether she would be able to get herself into perfect shape in time for the Paris Grand Slam.

Sania made quite a speedy recovery, considering that her physician, Dr KJ Reddy, had given her just about a week's preparation before the Paris event. "Three weeks is the maximum I would give her to regain her fitness," the doctor had said late last month but they did it well within that period.

It is likely that Sania would have some more practice with Mahesh Bhupathi in Bangalore before leaving for Paris. Her new sparring coach, Asif Ismail, is also likely to be there.