Sania Mirza has been awarded the first wild-card entry to the WTA Indian Open 2004, to be held in her hometown of Hyderabad from February 16.

"Sania is India's most promising young women's tennis player and deserves this opportunity to break into the big league," said tournament director Krishna Bhupathi while making the announcement.

Sania, who just claimed her first US title after a four-week coaching stint with Boris Becker's former coach Bob Brett, said she is now eager to prove her mettle on home turf.

"My recent coaching with Bob Brett has really helped my game reach a different level. I did pretty well at last year's WTA Indian Open and am eager to win my first professional WTA match at Hyderabad this year," the Wimbledon girls' doubles champion said in a statement from the organisers.

Participants in the $140,000 event include reigning champion Tamarine Tanasugarn and finalist Iroda Tulyaganova.