Thursday, January 20 2005 17:18 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Melbourne: The young shoulders of Sania Mirza would be carrying the expectations of over a billion fans back home when she turns up for the "biggest match of her life" against the formidable Serena Williams in the third round of the Australian Open in Melbourne tomorrow (Jan 21, 2005).

The odds may be heavily against the 18-year-old Indian wildcard but Sania has raised hopes among even diehard sceptics following her upset win over 84th ranked Petra Mandula in the second round of the season's first Grand Slam yesterday (Jan 19, 2005).

The ease with which she walloped the Hungarian in 50 minutes belied the fact that Sania was playing in her first ever-senior Grand Slam championship, although she is not exactly new to the big stage having won the junior doubles crown in Wimbledon in 2003.

Sania has already created history by becoming the first Indian women to reach the third round and is also assured of 46,250 Australian dollars as prize money, but all that is behind her now and what awaits the 166th ranked Hyderabadi is another shot at unprecedented glory.

That her opponent, currently ranked seventh, is a former world number one and former Australian Open champion (2003) makes her downright intimidating on the court but Sania exuded confidence ahead of the nerve-wracking clash saying the pressure would be on the American.