Mirza finds perfect partnership with Peer

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India's Sania Mirza, seen here playing in the singles at Wimbledon on June 28, is thrilled to be playing with Israel's Shahar Peer at Wimbledon, two years after they broke up under pressure from religious hardliners. — Internet Photo.

LONDON, Jun 30 (AFP): Indian star Sania Mirza is thrilled to be playing with Israel's Shahar Peer at Wimbledon, two years after they broke up under pressure from religious hardliners.
The close friends made their first appearance since feeling forced to split due to militants furious about Mirza, a Muslim, playing together with a Jew.
Peer and Mirza were cheered on by an enthusiastic crowd on Wimbledon's 800-capacity Court Three late Friday, with many people of South Asian ethnic origin in the crowd as they won their ladies' doubles first round clash.
Mirza and Peer, the top-ranked singles players in their respective countries, played together at the 2005 Japan Open, reaching the last four.
On court Friday, the 16th seeds beat Sofia Arvidsson of Sweden and Lilia Osterloh of the United States 7-5, 6-3.
"If you keep playing with one person you keep improving," the Indian world number 44 said.
"Playing doubles is a team thing. It's always the responsibility of one person to get the other person smiling and up."
The duo face Hungary's Agnes Szavay and Vladimira Uhlirova of the Czech Republic in the round of 32. Aside from the Peer partnership, Mirza is no stranger to controversy.
A fatwa was once issued against her by extremists angry over the short skirts she wears on court.
Asked whether she would prefer to wear a dress, a skirt or shorts while playing, Mirza replied: "Whatever's comfortable. I'm comfortable wearing most things on court.
"I don't stand in front of the mirror and do make up before going on court because no-one cares whether you have blusher on or not, whether you're wearing a skirt or shorts. You are there to play tennis and it doesn't matter for me."
Despite it all, it seems Mirza is adored by fans at the All England Club. She was mobbed as she left the court, signing autographs as supporters held up the letters of her first name and took photographs.