SANIA BREZESS INTO FINAL WHT U ALL SAY............................

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Sania Mirza became the first Indian tennis player to enter the singles final of the Asian Games. DOHA: Sania Mirza ruled the centre court as she dismissed world No.21 and top seed Na Li of China 6-2, 6-2 in the women's semifinals of the 15th Asian Games here on Tuesday. The 20-year-old Hyderabad girl, attempting to redeem her reputation at the end of a tough season and a demanding schedule here, proved too good for the Chinese not only with her explosive groundstrokes but mobility as well. Na Li had beaten Sania in their previous meeting in the Asian Championship final in 2004. BRILLIANT SHOW: Sania Mirza became the first Indian tennis player to enter the singles final of the Asian Games. DOHA: Sania Mirza ruled the centre court as she dismissed world No.21 and top seed Na Li of China 6-2, 6-2 in the women's semifinals of the 15th Asian Games here on Tuesday. The 20-year-old Hyderabad girl, attempting to redeem her reputation at the end of a tough season and a demanding schedule here, proved too good for the Chinese not only with her explosive groundstrokes but mobility as well. Na Li had beaten Sania in their previous meeting in the Asian Championship final in 2004. Intelligent play Na Li struggled to match Sania's intelligent play and remarkable court craft as the overwhelming crowd favourite changed the pace, length, direction and trajectory of her strokes, keeping the Chinese guessing. In reaching the singles final, Sania also became the first Indian tennis player, man or woman, to do so in the 15 editions of the Games that started in 1958. Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi and Prahlad Srinath have only won singles bronze medals. Sania was calm and focused. She could even afford a smile when she made some uncharacteristic errors. She was in total control. "I had to keep the momentum because she could come back any time. I hope to maintain this for one more match,'' said Sania, quite satisfied with her performance. "She played really well and there was nothing I could do about it. She deserved to win,''said Na Li, quite gracious in defeat. Sania got off the blocks very well, breaking the Chinese in the first game and the latter obliged with a second break in the fifth game with a doublefault on breakpoint. Once Sania saved a breakpoint in the sixth game with a forehand inside-out and took a 5-1 lead, the momentum for the match was well and truly set. Dramatic game Into the second set, there was a dramatic third game that saw nine deuces and Sania emphasised her grit by converting the sixth breakpoint with a backhand return winner. Thereafter, Li Na got broken in the fifth game as she played all over a skidder after saving two breakpoints. Sania, serving with confidence, dropped only four points in the next two service games. Na Li brought the curtains down by putting her backhand long on the first matchpoint. In the final, Sania will face another Chinese, the 33rd ranked second seed, Zheng Jie, who made the doubles final as well to bolster her chances for the gold. Easy for the Indian duo In the men's doubles semifinals, defending champions, Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi did not have to pull out their best game as they raced past Cecil Mamiit and Frederick Taino of Philippines. Moreover, the opponents were struggling with their game to be able to provide a meaningful challenge to the former world No.1 pair at any stage through the match. Eventually, Leander served out without any fuss. In the final, Leander and Mahesh will play the second seeds Sonchat Ratiwatana and Sanchai Ratiwatana of Thailand.