It’s been a solid year, hope to build on it: Sania Mirza

Indian tennis star Sania Mirza on Saturday said she has had a “solid year already” and hopes to build on it with her new women’s doubles partner – Yaroslava Shvedova of Kazakhstan. Sania’s partnership with Czech Republic’s Barbara Strycova came to an end a few weeks ago due to a “difference in priorities”.

Her partnership with Strycova lasted 10 tournaments. The Indian had earlier parted ways with Swiss ace Martina Hingis. “I have had a solid, solid start to the year. I have already played a Grand Slam final (mixed doubles at Australian Open), a title (in Brisbane), some finals (Miami, Sydney) and a bunch of semifinals. I am very critical of myself and always feel I can do better, no matter what and possibly win more titles,” Mirza said.

On joining forces with Shvedova, she said, “I have known her forever. She is a great girl, has won Grand Slam titles. I hope it won’t take us long to gel well. She is a very powerful player and plays on the backhand side of the court. We can hopefully enjoy ourselves on the court and also produce good results.”

“We have committed till Wimbledon for sure and probably for the rest of the season,” she said when asked about her plan for the future. Mirza, who started the year as the No.1 ranked player, has slipped to seventh after having claimed just one title so far in 2017. She will be playing in Madrid with Shvedova and expects a change in fortunes.