Sania scripts Hopman Cup dream run

India's fantastic run at the Hopman Cup this week went almost unnoticed by the national media. For a nation that just won the regional tourney to qualify for their debut in the team tennis championship, it was surely a dream run.

The Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna combo downed Croatia and Czech Republic 2-1 but fell to Spain to lose out on a place in the Perth final. Spain grabbed the final spot on a better win-loss record.

Sania was the anchor for all the victories, teaming up with Bopanna to clinch the decisive mixed doubles in each tie. Had we had a stronger male player, we could have no doubt done better but even Bopanna's 6-7, 6-7 loss to world no. 9 Mario Ancic (Croatia) was commendable.

Unfortunately, the nation's eyeballs were elsewhere - watching our boys in Blue lose in South Africa.