Sania Mirza was ruled out of action for at least four weeks on Saturday after undergoing surgery on her right knee.

The 20-year-old world number 46 suffered the injury during her first-round victory over Italy's [ Images ] Romina Oprandi in the Qatar Open on Monday and returned home for treatment.

She was scheduled to participate in the Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells next week.

"She suffered a stretched anterior cruciate ligament injury in the right knee, which needs intense rehabilitation programme for at least four weeks," a hospital statement said.

Sania became her country's favourite sporting pin-up after she became the first Indian to claim a WTA title and crack the top-50 in the rankings.

Image: Sania Mirza [ Images ] with her mother at the Appollo Hospital in Hyderabad.
Text: Reuters | Photograph: Snaps India [ Images ]