No stopping Sania Mirza, Saketh Myneni

Sania Mirza had no time to waste, literally!

From the time she arrived at Yeorumul Tennis Centre on Monday, the light rain kept delaying her mixed doubles match. There was confusion all around whether all the tennis finals – mixed doubles, men's doubles and women's doubles – would be played on the day or be shifted to the next day.

Sania's mother Nasima Mirza was desperately trying to tell the tournament referee that "in no case this could happen as Sania has to reach China by early morning flight as she has already committed or else will have to pay the hefty fine".

However, the weather started clearing up and the first match was soon to be started at 3pm (11.30am IST) local time.

Saketh Myneni, Sania's mixed doubles partner, started the proceedings in men's doubles with Sanam Singh. It was a packed stadium as the two were playing against local favourites Yongkyu Lim and Hyeon Chung. The Indian duo eventually lost the rain-interrupted match in straight sets 5-7 6-7(2) to settle for silver.

The six feet and three inches tall Myneni was once again back on the centre court, at 9.15 pm (local time) under floodlights, but this time with his senior partner Sania in a completely positive frame of mind. Nowhere during their stay on the court did the two look in any sort of problem as they overcame Hsien Yin Peng and Hao Ching Chan of Chinese Taipei 6-4 6-3.

Myneni could not hide his emotions as Sania finally slammed a forehand winner to force an error from the opponent at the net. He could not wait to grab the Indian national flag and wave it to the crowd.

It was then Sania's turn to hold the flag and wave to the spectators as a select band of Indians had braved the chill to keep chanting... "Sania, Sania" and "India, India".

This was Sania's eighth medal in the Asian Games while it was Myneni's second in only his maiden appearance in this quadrennial event. The duo never allowed their Chinese Taipei opponents with a solid game plan.

If Myneni's huge serve was making it difficult for his opponents to handle, then Sania's sorties to the net were truly inspirational for her younger partner. She kept chatting with Myneni in between points as if she was sharing the nuances of her vast international doubles play experience with him.

The effect was there for everyone to see.

In 2010 Guangzhou Asiad, Sania had nurtured Vishnu Vardhan as a mixed doubles partner and this time it was the turn of another player from Hyderabad. "I was studying in college in US during the last Asiad. It's a great feeling to be standing on winners' podium here and it could have been better had I won the men's doubles gold as well," Myneni said after the ceremony.

Myneni is considered to be the coolest young Indian player. "This is a big year for me, starting with the Chennai Open. Winning medals for India gives me a high," he added.

Sania was not so vocal with her emotions."Winning gold again, what more can I ask for? It is wonderful to hear the national anthem. We could have won a few more medals in tennis but this is a good performance," she said.