Saturday, February 12 2005 22:02 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: President A P J Abdul Kalam, Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, BJP president L K Advani, Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee and other leaders today (Feb 12, 2005) congratulated Sania Mirza on her spectacular performance in the Hyderabad Open tennis tournament.

"I am happy that an Indian player has won this title for the first time. I wish her success in future to bring more laurels to herself and to the country. I see a bright future for her," Kalam said in a message to Sania.

"Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat has congratulated her and said the country had great expectations from her," a spokesman to the Vice-President told reporters.

Sonia Gandhi, who returned from electioneering from Bihar, watched the match and wished the young tennis star all success in her career in future.

Sania became the first ever Indian woman to win a WTA tour title when she upset ninth seed Alyona Bondarenko of Ukraine 6-4 5-7 6-3 to lift the $ 140,000 Hyderabad Open today.

"Watching her play was a matter of pride for every Indian," BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) president and the Leader of the Opposition L K Advani said.

"I am in Patna but I have been watching on television the match being played at Hyderabad. Watching her play and win was a matter of pride for every Indian. My hearty compliments to Sania Mirza for her victory," Advani told reporters over telephone from Patna.

Somnath Chatterjee said that young Sania Mirza's saga of success in winning this major championship would inspire the youth across the country.

He also congratulated the organisers of the tournament.

Complimenting Sania for her remarkable performance against Alyona Bondarenko, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy described the 18-year old tennis star Sania as the hope of the nation in the world of sports.

Reacting at her win against Alyona Bondarenko of Ukraine, the Chief Minister said that Sania had held the Indian flag aloft in the world of tennis, and made the motherland proud with her grand performance.

Reddy hoped that Sania would bring many more laurels to the country with her undaunted will power and spirit of sportsmanship.

Reddy also complimented Ukraine tennis star Bondarenko for her impressive show at the Women's Open Tennis tournament finals.