MUMBAI, Dec 24: India’s Sania Mirza is hoping for an injury-free new year after her 2007 season was cut short due to a series of niggles.

Sania, 21, achieved a career-high singles ranking of 27 in August, following an impressive run in the US hardcourt circuit when she reached the Stanford Classic final.

But she lost time to injury and a surgery.

“My first goal is to remain injury-free for the year. I lost three-four months (to injuries) last year,” Sania told reporters at a promotional event on Monday.

World number 31 Sania suffered a wrist injury after the US Open, where she reached the third round, and then cut back the season by a couple of weeks following a strained abductor muscle in October.

The Indian number one underwent surgery in March following a ligament injury in her right knee at the Qatar Open.

Sania, who will be back in action next month in Hobart, is hoping for a good outing at the Australian Open.—Reuters