Unperturbed by the tough draw for the Hopman Cup, Sania Mirza exuded confidence that she and Rohan Bopanna are prepared to pose a strong challenge to their formidable rivals in the Mixed Team championship starting in Perth on Saturday.
India, placed in Group B along with the United States, Australia and Czech Republic, face the Americans, who have reigning Australian Open champion Serena Williams partnering Mardy Fish, in their opening encounter.
Sania, who prepared for the grind with Bopanna at the Bhupathi Tennis village in Bangalore, said they are battle hardened to face the heat in the USD 1 million event at Burswood Dome.
"We have a very tough draw, having been pitted with the USA, Australia and Czech Republic. But Rohan and I are ready to give it our best shot," Sania said.
Sania and Bopanna have got a direct entry for this year's Hopman Cup after their sensational showing last year when they upset Croatia and the Czech Republic before a loss to Spain threw spanner in their effort of taking India into the final in its maiden appearance.
"Only the elite countries are included in the Hopman Cup and it is a great honour that India has been included in the World Group without playing the qualifying draw for the first time," said Sania before embarking for the mission on Wednesday.
Sania is looking forward to playing against eight-time Grand Slam winner Serena and said taking on the American great will be a rare experience for her.
"She is a pioneer and one of the greats of all time. It is always a great privilege to play against an athlete of her calibre," Sania said about her first match of the season.
Serena, on her part, is coming back after recovering from a knee injury and missing the season ending tournament in Madrid.
After working out with her new physical trainer Renuka Pinto, Sania said she is concentrating on her overall game and will try to stay fit throughout in 2008.
"We concentrate more on the overall improvement in my game and fitness level with special emphasis on things like my serve and volleys," she said.
Serbia, France, Chinese Taipei and Argentina are the other teams featuring in Group A.
Serbia, with world number three Novak Djokovic and Jelena Jankovic, are top seeds in the tournament followed by the US and Czech Republic, represented by Tomas Berdych and Lucie Safarova.
India will take on Australia, comprising Alicia Molik and Peter Luczak, and Czech Republic on January 1 and 3 respectively.