DUBAI: There were more gasps of ‘ooohs and ahhs’ in the Fateh Maidan Stadium that February weekend in 2005, than there may have been in a circus tent offering tricks and twists. There was also love. The sweet winds of Valentine’s Day were already blowing.
Each time Sania Mirza, in a lapis lazuli tinged co-ord set, shorts and tee, tossed the ball to serve, the crowd went into a tizzy. Organizers were forced to appeal to fans a couple of hours before the final of the Hyderabad Open, asking them to follow the action from home on television because the 15,000-capacity arena was already full.
