Melbourne: Indian cricket team was not alone to have experienced the sporting wars Down Under. Even Sania Mirza, India's lone entry in the women's singles of the Australian Tennis Tournament had a tough fortnight following charges of failing to respect the Indian flag at Perth's Hopman Cup a fortnight ago.
Sania was supportive for India but said she was also disturbed by the controversies that surrounded her.
The 21-year-old was quoted as saying by The Australian, "Obviously as an Indian I am in support of India, but I think I have my own set of controversies. I am going to leave the rest to them."
Sania defeated Timea Bacsinszky of Switzerland on Thursday in the second round of the women's singles at the Australian Open to enter the third round where she will meet eighth seed Venus Williams of the US.
Venus had an unimpressive second round match against France's Camille Pin but finally won 7-5, 6-4.
During her Hopman Cup campaign in Perth, Sania was caught in camera while she was sitting bare feet facing the Tricolour, an offence under India's Prevention of Insult to the National Honour Act that carries a penalty of three years' jail and a fine.
Earlier, Muslim fundamentalists had issued a 'fatwa' against her for wearing short skirts and singlet tops. Sania's effigies were also burnt after she was accused of supporting pre-marital sex.
The world No. 32 seemed disturbed by the various controversies around her and claimed she was finding it hard to focus on the game.
"I am not super-human and it does affect me," she admitted. "In the circumstances I am just happy that I came through the first round, because I am expected to win this match. I am expected to go through it easily," she added.
Earlier, Sania had revealed that she even once thought of quitting the game over flag furore.
"A lot of things went through my head and one of the thoughts was (quitting), but I'm not saying I was serious enough that I am going to quit right now," she said.
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