Mirza and Peer Put On a Great Show

India’s Sania Mirza, showing that she’s capable of going deep into the Acura Classic draw, defeated Shahar Peer, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2, in a first-round match on Stadium Court.

Peer and Mirza, who are playing doubles together this week, were all business as they pounded heavy ground strokes from the baseline from start to finish during the match which took 2 hours and 3 minutes. 

Mirza, who reached the singles final in Stanford last week, continued her impressive play as she used her strong forehand to set up winning points throughout the afternoon.

The momentum of the match swung back and forth as there were a combined 15 service breaks in the match, which was played before a large day session crowd.

After splitting the first two sets, Mirza picked up her game and began pressuring Peer with her service returns.

Mirza opened the final set by holding serve and then broke Peer when the Israeli double faulted on the 14th point of the game. Despite dropping her serve in the next game, Mirza broke back and then fought off a break point in the fifth game to hold serve and take a 4-1 lead.

Later, with the score at 5-2 in Mirza’s favor, Peer served to stay in the match but fell behind 0-30. Mirza then hit a backhand service return long to make the score 15-20.

Mirza got to match point when she slammed a high forehand volley for a winner. On the next point, Mirza pounded a cross court forehand which Peer could only return in the net.

The Indian yelled, “Yes!” and pumped her fist as she celebrated her victory.

• Mirza advances to a second round match against Eleni Daniilidou.
• Mirza is ranked 31 in the world.
• Mirza now leads Peer 2-1 in career head-to-head meetings.
• Mirza reached the fourth round of the 2005 US Open.
• Mirza improves her 2007 match record to 21-12.
• Mira has represented India in Fed Cup play.
• Mirza is making her third career Acura Classic appearance. She reached the third round in 2005 and 2006.
• Peer and Mirza teamed to win the doubles championship at the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour event in Stanford last week.
• Peer is ranked 18 in the world.
• Peer has represented Israel in Fed Cup play.
• Peer reached the quarterfinals of the 2007 Australian Open.
• Peer is making her third career Acura Classic appearance.

For more match summaries, please click here.