Sania continued to impress yesterday as she began the Japan Open with a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Vilmarie Castellvi of Puerto Rico. She’s off to a good start, but there is still a long road ahead.

“As a tennis player, I’m bound to make a mistake, I’m bound to lose a game, I’m bound to hit some good shots and I’m bound to make some errors, so that’s human,” said Mirza, who has generated huge media interest in her native country. “I don’t think anyone expects anyone to play perfect tennis all the time.”

In the second round, Mirza will take on Japan’s Aiko Nakamura, who eliminated last year’s runner-up American Mashona Washington 6-7 (6-8), 6-1, 6-1.

Although many say that it is too early to celebrate Sania’s greatness (you will recall that she recently graced the cover of TIME magazine), I think it’s important to give Sania the credit she deserves. She is doing more than any Indian Woman has done before in the game of tennis, and is single-handedly proving that Indian sports is more than just cricket. Besides, TIME magazine isn’t a talent contest. Ash didn’t get on the cover because she’s the best actress in history. Both Sania and Ash are famous because they are icons and important figures of our TIME.

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