By IANS
Bangalore : Tennis ace Sania Mirza’s absence has undoubtedly done some damage to the region’s biggest women’s tennis extravaganza here, with only a handful of spectators turning out to see some of the big names of world tennis at the Bangalore Open.
The organisers might claim that the 21-year-old Hyderabadi’s non-participation in the Tier II WTA tournament to evade controversies has hardly made any impact, but the truth is something else. One look at the numbers turning up at the KSLTA Tennis Centre on the first two days is enough to gauge the impact of Sania’s absence.
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Can Williams pull in the crowds?
Thus far in the absence of Sania, the Williams sisters have been the stars, though Jelena Jankovic has had her share of attention too. Now, only time will tell whether big names like Venus and Serena Wiiliams coupled with Jelena Jankovic, Maria Kirilenko and Agnes Szavay can pull loyal Sania fans to the stadium in the last days of the tournament.
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Collecting pictures for family album
Richard Williams, father of Venus and Serena Williams, was enjoying every bit of his daughters’ play during the first round of doubles at the Bangalore Open here Tuesday.
A doting father, Richard was busy clicking Venus and Serena on court from various angles. In between he also motivated his daughters with some encouraging words.