Mirza Moves Into Third Round After Upset

Tennis fans attending this year’s Acura Classic are getting the opportunity to see something special.

India’s Sania Mirza arrived at the La Costa Resort and Spa last week having to qualify in order to get into the tournament’s main draw.

The Indian tennis star not only qualified for the main draw, but put on a dazzling display of tennis as she advanced to the third round with an impressive, 6-2, 6-1, second-round victory over fourth-seeded Nadia Petrova of Russia.

Mirza did not get off to a good start as Petrova blasted two aces past her to start the match. However, Mirza began to find the range on her shots and proceeded to take a 5-1 first set lead.

Serving for the first set with a 5-2 lead, Mirza hit an ace to secure the first set. The large Stadium Court crowd began to sense an upset in the making.

In the second set, Mirza continued to pressure Petrova from the baseline and at 1-1 used three service breaks to win five straight games.

At 5-1, Petrova served to stay in the match. Mirza opened the game with a sizzling backhand cross court winner that left the crowd in awe.

Two points later with the Russian serving at 15-30, Mirza reached match point as she hit a forehand down the line winner.

Mirza put the match away on the next point when she smashed a forehand service return cross court winner as the crowd erupted.

Following the match, Mirza said she felt little pressure in facing a top ten player such as Petrova because she felt like she was the underdog. That was clearly evident as she hit numerous winners throughout the 54-minute match.

At each of her matches at the Acura Classic this week, Mirza has had a large following of Indian tennis fans watching her play.

Mirza said she was initially surprised at the size of her following here in the United States, but over time she has gotten used to the support.

• Mirza will face unseeded Akiko Morigami of Japan in the third round.
• Mirza is ranked 59 in the world.
• Mirza is making her Acura Classic debut.
• Mirza improves her 2005 match record to 22-12.
• Mirza reached the third round of the 2005 Australian Open.
• This was the first head-to-head meeting between Mirza and Petrova.
• Petrova was making her fifth Acura Classic appearance.
• Petrova is ranked ninth in the world.
• Petrova’s 2005 match record is now 32-13.
• Petrova reached the semifinals of the 2005 French Open.

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