MUMBAI, India: India's Sania Mirza is hoping for an injury-free new year after her 2007 season was cut short due to a series of niggles.

Mirza, 21, achieved a career-high singles ranking of 27 in August, following an impressive run in the US hardcourt circuit when she reached the Stanford Classic final.

But she lost time to injury and a surgery.

"My first goal is to remain injury-free for the year. I lost three, four months (to injuries) last year," Mirza said at a promotional event on Monday.

World No 31 Mirza suffered a wrist injury after the US Open, where she reached the third round, and then cut back the season by a couple of weeks following a strained abductor muscle in October.

The Indian No 1 underwent surgery in March following a ligament injury in her right knee at the Qatar Open.

Mirza, who will be back in action next month in Hobart, is hoping for a good outing at the Australian Open.

"Being the first Grand Slam, there is where you have the most surprises because I feel because everyone's coming out of their off-season," said Mirza, who beat five top-20 players including former No 1 Martina Hingis last year.

"A lot of seeds go out in the first couple of rounds," said Mirza who has reached the fourth round of a Grand Slam tournament once, the 2005 US Open.

"I am looking forward to it."

Agencies

(China Daily 12/26/2007 page23)