Sania Mirza Begins Australian Open 2008 Today against Iroda Tulyaganova

Sania Mirza is going to face Iroda Tulyaganova from Uzbekistan in the first round match of Australian Open 2008. Indian tennis star, Sania Mirza is the 31^st seed of Australian Open 2008. Ahead of the match, Indian fans are eagerly waiting to see their star reach the second round. However, Sania Mirza is going though a tough time with controversies one after another.

Sania Mirza has recently got a court notice for allegedly showing disrespect to the national flag of India. The incident happened during a Hopman Cup match in Australia, when she was watching a match placing her feet in front of India’s national flag.

Sify.com reported:

The case was filed under section 2 of the Prevention of Insult to the National Honour Act of 1971. Dishonouring the national flag is an offence that attracts a maximum sentence of three years with fine

The court admitted the case after four witnesses admitted having seen the photograph of Sania, dishonouring the tricolour and a photo expert testifying the snap appears to be a genuine one devoid of any trick photography.

This is not the first time 21-year-old has faced controversy. Actually, it has been a common trend to bring a charge against Sania Mirza these days. This controversy is reportedly made her think about her career. She spent a big part of 2007 out of court with injury. However, she came back in action last year and has been performing consistently. She has become a global ambassador of Addidas.

Now, ahead of the match against Iroda Tulyaganova, she should not be worry much. Iroda Tulyaganova is ranked 317 in the WTA ranking. The Uzbek got into the Australian Open 2008 as a wild card.

NDTV reported:

She opens her campaign against the 26-year-old Tulyaganova, who perhaps is past her best years.
The Uzbek girl was among the top 20 players at one time but that was way back in 2001. She is currently ranked 317 on the WTA charts while Sania is just outside the top 30 mark.
So getting past Tulyaganova and a possible second round opponent in Sophie Ferguson, ranked 176 in the world, should not be a problem for Sania on the new Plexicushion surface, which she claims suits her style of play.

Sania Mirza has the ability to reach the third round in Australian Open 2008 considering recent performance. However, Iroda Tulyaganova will try her best to make it to the second round. She has nothing to lose against Sania Mirza, but she can win everything. So, for today’s match, Sania Mirza should forget all those off court stuffs and focus only on her opening match.