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Dubai: Indian Sania Mirza overcame a stuttering start to power her way to a 7-6 (5), 6-2 win over qualifier Vera Dushevina on the second day of the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships being played at the Dubai Tennis Stadium.
French girl Marion Bartoli became the first major casualty as she went down 6-1, 6-7 (5), 6-1 to Italian Francesca Schiavone .
Bartoli, who shot into the limelight following a maiden appearance at last year's Wimbledon final, never seemed to be in control barring once when she led 3-0 and then 4-1 in the second set.
Bartoli's gritty opponent from Italy, who is ranked 15 places below her on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, made full use of the chances that came her way to maintain a spotless 3-0 win/loss record.
It was Mirza holding court in the late evening match as she shrugged off a bit of her lethargy in the first set to finally polish it off in the tie-breaker.
Mirza was leading 5-3 at one stage, and later admitted that it was the fans in the stands, who prompted her to raise her level to ultimately win the set on tie-break.
"I knew she would be a tough opponent, more so because this is the first time I am playing against her," Mirza said.
"For me, Dubai is home away from home and it was the crowd who helped me lift my game in the first set," she applauded.
The Indian, who is Asia's top ranked player on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, will now play Jelena Jankovic in today's second round encounter.
Earlier during the day, sixth seed Russian Anna Chakvetadze was the first to clear the opening round hurdle with a fighting 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 win against qualifier Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland.
"She was a tough opponent," Chakvetadze admitted after her win. "I don't have many wins outdoors and I know I can play better with more victories under my belt," she added.
Chakvetadze notched an early break and held serve for a 2-0 lead. Radwanska seemed lost to find her rhythm and Chakvetadze took the chances that came her way to take the first set 6-2 in less than half an hour.
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