Sania Mirza's coach John Farrington says the 18-year old Indian sensation has a very good chance of defeating top seed Maria Sharapova should the two lock horns in the women's singles fourth round of the US Open tennis tournament.
Farrington said the type of game the Russian star plays suited Sania better than any other player's.
"Sania can do extremely well. Maria (Sharapova) hits with a lot of pace, and so Sania doesn't need to generate pace on her own," Farrington said.
"We have got good opportunity, good chance. We do have a game-plan for Maria," he added.
According to Farrington, Sania encountered a 'slow' opponent in Marion Bartoli of France in the fourth round.
"Bartoli hits with a slow pace and as such Sania has had to generate all the power," he said.
Farrington was full of praise for the 18-year-old Hyderabadi who he said showed lot of character in coming through a difficult third round match.
"There were moments when she did not execute what she was told but there many moments when she did exactly as she was asked to.
"She is still not playing at her best. That talks a lot about her character. If all things come together, it will be much easier."
Asked about the numerous unforced errors by Sania, Farrington said the teenager was still on the learning curve.
"A lot depends on who she is playing. There was an injury time out today," he said referring to the three-minute break Bartoli took to treat a calf muscle strain when the scores were 5-5 in the first set.
On resumption, Sania dropped serve.
"We have to remember that she is only 18 and still maturing, developing. You have to deal with outside elements to keep focus," he said citing the strong wind conditions during her earlier matches.
Farrington said Sania's injuries -- abdominal strain and foot blisters -- will have to be carefully handled.
"Blisters is just wear and tear as she has been playing continuously for weeks on different surfaces, lots of matches.
"The stomach problem has been there a bit earlier in the year. We are dealing with it carefully."
Farrington said Sania would need a couple of weeks rest after the US Open to treat her strain but she would not skip the Sunfeast Open at Kolkata from September 19 to 25.
Asked where was the room for improvement in Sania's game, the coach said "it was a combination of lot of things".
"It is going to take time. Her game is one of aggression. What we are trying to make it is one of controlled aggression.
"It is bringing bits and pieces together."
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