The Indian tennis sensation Sania Mirza has stormed into the second round of the singles event at the Asian Games after getting the better of Chan Wing Yau Venise of Hong Kong today.
Mirza, who is contesting in China as an un-seeded player required only fifty minutes to cruise past her opponent in two sets. The final match score was 6-1 6-0. Her effective forehands and booming backhands booked her a spot in the next round where the right
hander will take on Zhang Shuai, a sixth seed contender, for a final eight berth.
If she triumphs, Mirza is expected to face the second seed Tamarine Tanasugarn from Thailand, a two-time silver medallist, in the quarter final in China.
Meanwhile, Zhang brushed aside Malika Rana of Nepal in straight sets earlier in the day. The final score line was 6-0, 6-0.
The 24-year-old Mirza has been under medication since arriving in China for the infection which she believes she picked up in Luxembourg on the women's circuit.
Her compatriot player, Poojashree Venkatesha, on the other hand, suffered an early round exit as she was toppled by her Chinese foe, Chen Kai Chang in two sets in another women’s singles battle. She lost 2-6, 2-6.
Currently ranked number 166 in the South African Airways WTA list, Mirza took some time to get into her groove however afterwards outclassed her foe till the end.
"I was a bit rusty initially as I was playing in a match after three weeks. I did not know her and it took some time," declared Mirza who was fully supported by her husband Shoaib Malik.
Her next opponent Zhang Shuai when asked about Sania’s game and form said that she will have to play really well in order to beat her.
The top seed in the women’s side is the forty year old Kimiko Date Krumm who is ranked number 46 in the world. Seeded ahead of Mirza are Ayumi Morita, Date, Tanasugarn, Shuai Zhang, Akgul Amanmuradova, Jin-A Lee, Shuai Peng and Kai-Chen Chang.
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