Mirza Passes Acura Classic Qualifying Test

Sania Mirza, India’s rising tennis star, fought off a tough challenge from Kateryna Bondarenko of the Ukraine to win 6-4, 7-6 (2) and advance to the main draw of the 2005 Acura Classic.

Before a large crowd on the Grandstand at the La Costa Resort and Spa, Mirza, who was seeded number one in qualifying, overcame two service breaks in the first set and went on to win the set in 29 minutes.

At 3-3 in the second set, Mirza and Bondarenko exchanged service breaks and the set eventually went to a tiebreak.

The popular Indian star then took a 3-2 lead in the tiebreaker and won the last four points to close the match.

Following the match, Mirza took time to sign autographs and take pictures with fans before being escorted off the court by security.

• Mirza is making her Acura Classic debut.
• Mirza is ranked 64 in the world.
• Mirza reached the third round of the 2005 Australian Open as a wildcard.
• This last February, Mirza became the first Indian woman to capture a WTA Tour singles title when she won her first career title in India at the Hyderabad Open.
• Mirza made her Wimbledon debut this year losing a three-set match to US Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova in the second round.
• Bondarenko is ranked 196 in the world.
• Bondarenko defeated Russia’s Tatiana Panova in her first-round qualifying match.
• Bondarenko was making her Acura Classic debut.

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