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KOLKATA (PTI): Indian ace Mahesh Bhupathi is confident that Sania Mirza would be able to leave behind her recent lacklustre showing and make a forceful comeback in the Wimbledon Championship beginning next month. Asked to comment on Sania slipping to the 39th spot in the rankings, Bhupathi said, ‘’This can happen to any player. Ups and downs do come in a player’s career.’’ Sania, who had climbed up to the 34th spot in the world list, moved down to 40th before improving one position in the latest ranking chart. Plagued by various injuries, Sania is now taking a three-week break from the court to give herself much-needed rest. ‘’She is trying hard and hopefully we will see him come up with a good result in the Wimbledon,’’ he said. Bhupathi did not agree that India had made a heavy weather of their Davis Cup Asia Oceania Zone group 1 play-off tie against Pakistan before managing to win 3-2. ‘’We always knew that it will be tough. Pakistan’s number one player Aisam ul-Haq Qureshi is very good on the grass court. We knew that he will give us a run for the money in the two singles matches,’’ he said. “What is important is that we won. We badly needed to win to stay in group 1 to be in a position to take a shot at the world group,’’ said Bhupathi, now ranked 22nd in doubles. Asked whether India’s efforts to return to the world group were faltering due to the inability of the second rung players, the lanky tennis star avoided a direct reply. ‘’There is lot of talent now. Prakash Amritraj, Rohan Bopanna and Jeevan Neducheziyan are good. But they have to work hard to break into the top in men’s circuit,’’ he said.

Some of the leading players of the world including Indian star Sania Mirza are expected to take part in the USD 170,000 WTA Tour Sunfeast Open tennis tournament scheduled to be held here from September 18-24.

The second edition of the tier iii WTA event, that had its maiden run last year, would be staged at the Netaji Indoor Stadium, Indian doubles ace Mahesh Bhupathi announced yesterday.

“I’m confident that this edition of the tourney will attract some of the leading players in the world. While it is too early to announce the names, one can be sure that India is in for a special surprise this year and we can expect one of the true giants of women’s tennis to tour India for the event,” Bhupathi said at a media conference.

Despite taking time off the circuit to attend to her various injuries, Sania Mirza has climbed one place to number 39 in the latest WTA Tour rankings.

The Hyderabadi girl, who represented India in the recent Federation Cup zonal qualifiers in Korea, is taking a three-week break to give her body a much needed rest.

She has compiled 516.75 points and despite not taking the court, moved up at the expense of American Jill Craybas who lost one spot to number 40.

There was good news for Sania on the doubles front too as she gained one place to reach number 38.

Shikha Uberoi gained one spot in the singles ranking to get to 182nd while Ankita Bhambri and Isha Lakhani were placed 332nd and 366th respectively.

Shikha is ranked 159th in doubles with Ankita is at 347th.

Frenchwoman Amelie Mauresmo leads the rankings ahead of Belgian Kim Clistjers and Maria Sharapova of Russia.

Nadia Petrova gained a spot to number four displacing Justine Henin-Hardenne

NEW DELHI: Fitness issues have forced Sania Mirza to go for an extended break from tennis. With the French Open just a month from now, Sania will, in all probability, take to the Roland Garros courts without proper match practice. The French Open begins on May 28.

“I am taking two to three weeks of rest to regain my fitness,” said Sania. Despite a string of injuries, with wrist problem being the main concern, Sania joined the National team for the Fed Cup Asia Oceania zonal qualifying tournament in Seoul last week. India reached the final before losing to Australia 2-1 in which Sania lost the crucial singles against Samantha Stosur.

“We should be happy that we advanced so far in the tournament,” Sania said. Though India fell at the final hurdle, “it was a great outing and we played some good hard tennis,” she added.

Not at her best

Sania said that her fitness problem may have affected India’s performance to some extent, but it was one of those days when she was not in her peak shape. “But I really wanted to be part of the team. I loved the whole team spirit and the atmosphere at the Fed Cup,” Sania said.

“We are going to try hard next time and hope to do better,” she said.

Sania landed here with the team late on Monday night and stayed over to fulfil her sponsorship duties. On Wednesday, Sania launched her `Summer 06 Signature Collection’ of Lotto sports attire.

Eyeing Asiad

For Sania, her next assignment for the country will be the Doha Asian Games in December. “I am really looking forward to the Asian Games and winning a medal for the country,” Sania said. “I am sure we (India) will have strong teams in both the men’s and women’s sections at Doha,” she added.

Currently 40th on the WTA Tour rankings, Sania said that the second year on the circuit had been much tougher. “It gets harder at the top as the competition is so deep,” she said.

On her contracting Asif Ismail as hitting partner, Sania said it was just that she clicked with him well and decided to join hands. “I needed someone with whom I could hit hard and Asif is the kind of player I was looking for.”

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