Sania Mirza is Asian No.1 in women's tennis

Controversies, injuries and inconsistent form have threatened to derail Sania Mirza's career time and again but the Indian star continues to rise nevertheless, touching a new high on Monday by becoming Asia's number one woman tennis player.

After her third round appearance at the Australian Open, Sania gained three spots to rise to the 29th position with 931 points to become Asia's new numero uno player in the latest WTA rankings overtaking Chinese ace Na Li, who dropped to the 32nd position.

Sania, who lost to Wimbledon champion Venus Williams in the third round, however, slipped in the doubles rankings, losing five places to drop out of top20 and be placed 23rd in the latest list.

She had teamed up with Australian Alicia Molik in the Australian Open and the duo had been knocked out in the third round.

Becoming the Asian number one is yet anoth er remarkable achievement for the 21-year-old Hyderabad lass, who has been India's lone flagbearer in women's tennis after a breakthrough season in 2005.

"I am very happy, I think this is the first time I have become Asian number one, so it's an honor," Sania said.

She became the first Indian to break into the top 50 of WTA rankings and has notched up some memorable wins over Grand Slam champions like Martina Hingis and top 20 players like Patty Schnyder and Dinara Safina.

However, the glamorous star has had to deal with heightened expectations and one controversy after another ever since her rise to prominence.

Her on court attire, her views on pre marital sex and numerous other petty issues have raised the heckles of Islamic fundamentalists who have never wasted time in issuing one fatwa after another against her.

Injuries have also hampered her and she continues to play with minor niggles but all this has not affected her performance.

A WTA title eludes her and the best she has done at a Grand Slam is reaching the fourth round of US Open, but her fighting spirit and determination have won hearts wherever she has played.

"I'm 21 and I'm trying to be the best I can be," a bit upset but resolute Sania had said after off court furores forced her to think of quitting the game altogether a few weeks ago.

SANIA BREAKS FRENCH OPEN JINX

Paris: Sania Mirza recorded her maiden singles win at the French Open by beating Italian Alberta Brianti in the first round here on Wednesday.

The 20-year-old Indian, who had stumbled at the first hurdle in her earlier two attempts, thrashed Brianti 6-1, 6-1 to storm into the second round at the Roland Garros.

The Hyderabadi girl saved two breakpoints in the opening game but that was the only time she found herself in trouble in the match that last only 54 minutes.

The first Indian to win a WTA title slammed 54 winners, as against Brianti's 30, and three aces.

Sania's win was all the more creditable as she came into the tournament with a 0-2 win-loss record since returning from a 2-1/2 month-long injury lay-off. She got her first break by hitting an on-the-run forehand winner down the line to go up 3-0.

Brianti, who had a 1-0 head-to-head record against her rival before the game, held her serve then to register her name on the score sheet. But it was a while before she tasted success again.

Sania was in scorching form, belting winners on both flanks and won the next seven consecutive games.

After winning her match against Brianti, Sania said she would never abandon India despite the intense pressure of being one her country's most high profile stars.

The 20-year-old pin-up has been encouraged to base herself in the United States to train and to also escape the weight of expectancy on her shoulders after her rise in the women's game.

But she said she will never leave her Hyderabad home. "Everything I am today, I am because of India," she said. "Of course there are lots of times when you just want your privacy. It's hard when you are one in a billion," added Mirza.

"Clay is not my favourite surface but it was great to get a feel for the surface. It's my first win in singles here and I played a great match.

"I'm happy to be back on the court. There are few things more depressing than being in a wheelchair which I was after surgery.

"But I was lucky in that the injury wasn't as bad as it could have been. If it had been worse I could have been out for six to eight months. It was also a blessing in disguise as I had time to spend with my family and friends." She next faces Serbia's Ana Ivanovic who beat Sofia Arvidsson 6-2, 6-0.