Saniamania on artificial attention

Kolkata, Sep 17 (UNI) Sania Mirza seems to be playing a hide-and-seek game with the media at the Sunfeast Open and her cause is being helped by the organisers, who are keeping the star player's movements under wraps.

After futile querries during the whole day yesterday about Sania's whereabouts, when the organizers responded stonewalling all queries with a ''don't know'' reply, the leading lady of Indian tennis arrived late last night and was whisked off to the hotel.

The mediapersons waited in throngs at the airport and met with frustration at not being able to interact with her.

Sania came to the venue as early as eight in the morning and after practice sessions with Manoj Sewa, Vinod Sewa and Ashok Bajoria left for the hotel. She was also due for practising late in the evening.

Sania is suffering from an indifferent form that has seen her slide from 34 to 70 in the WTA rankings. The disappointment of losing in the second round of the same tournament last year also lingers. She will certainly be looking to stem the rot and will hope that the Sunfeast brings a lucky charm for her this time round.

While tomorrow she plans to visit a school to interact with the children, she will also be toning up her game for the tournament.

The draw of lots have been kind to her as she plays her first match against Rushmi Chakravarthi, who qualified today for the mains, in all probability. In the doubles she partners South African Liezel Huber and faces Ragini Vimal and Archana Venkatraman of India in the opening outing.

However, the players have been out of access for the journos and the organisers looks to have little clue of how to get the work going. The fact is the Saniamania is on the wane. Last year she was the centre of all attention, eclipsing the presence of Anastasia Myskina. However, that craze is certainly lacking this time with little coverage excepting how she is a rising star on a downward curve.

But hopefully she will be able to conquer her indifferent form and win over the crowds that swore by her name till yesterday.

UNI BA AY VA RK1935