Sania gets a superstar welcome Move over Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, your time at the top of the popularity charts is close to over. In fact, the turn of events at the KSLTA tennis stadium courts here on Sunday evening actually suggested that the time for a new icon has already come. Taking Sachin’s place will be teen sensation and darling of the crowds, Sania Mirza. The 19-year-old, top seed at the $175,000 Bangalore Open tennis tournament which gets underway here on Monday, arrived to a tumultuous welcome. The huge crowd outside – and inside – the stadium waiting to catch a glimpse of the star, had to be seen to be believed. Stepping out of a swanky Mercedez Benz at the gate, Sania was quickly whisked away. The crowd, a couple of young tennis hopefuls and the media included, was kept at bay. Globosport, the owners of the event, tried to prevent the lensmen from shooting her pictures. But, with the photographers standing firm and occupying the seats in the stands next to court one, Sania, hair coloured and in a bright red pullover, entered the court to a vociferous reception. Schoolchildren, who were seated at the far corner of the stadium, also rushed to court one to watch Sania hit a few balls. She loosened up for a while with her doubles partner, Leizel Huber of South Africa, before working out with France’s Camille Pin. After about an hour or so, Sania, turned to the crowd and obliged the autograph hunters. The tournament has attracted a clutch of top-100 players and the Sania show will begin when she plays Martina Muller of Germany in the first round on Tuesday.