Sania sails into Dubai Open second round

Sania Mirza on Tuesday continuing her good run this year has advanced into the second round of two million dollar Dubai Open defeating Russian Ekaterina Makarova 7-5, 6-2.

In the hour and 27 minutes long game, the Indian tennis sensation displayed a controlled performance and broke Makarova thrice out of the nine chances she got to wrap up the match.

Sania would now face 16th seed Spaniard, Kaia Kanepi, in the second round. This year, she has had some great performances, first winning her maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open mixed doubles partnering her mentor, Mahesh Bhupathi and then finishing as runners-up at last week's Pattaya Open.

Sania is now the only female Grand Slam winner for India. With one singles title in Hyderabad Open (2005), she has also become the first Indian to reach a career high of No.26 in 2007.

In the Dubai Open doubles, Sania will open her campaign with Italian Mara Santagelo today.