Mirza finds perfect partnership with Peer

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2007

LONDON (AFP) — Indian star Sania Mirza is thrilled to be playing with Israel's Shahar Peer at Wimbledon, two years after they broke up under pressure from religious hardliners.

The close friends made their first appearance since feeling forced to split due to militants furious about Mirza, a Muslim, playing together with a Jew.

Peer and Mirza were cheered on by an enthusiastic crowd on Wimbledon's 800-capacity Court Three late Friday, with many people of South Asian ethnic origin in the crowd as they won their ladies' doubles first round clash.

"We had lots of fun out there," said a smiling Mirza, 20, who insists they are not trying to make a political statement by renewing their partnership.

"A bit rusty because we played together after a really...