Mirza Beats Rain; Sharapova in Action Today at WTA Birmingham
Only four matches were completed Tuesday due to rain at the WTA grasscourt stop in Birmingham, with No. 14 seed Sania Mirza turning her slumping season around with a comeback win over the Ukraine's Alona Bondarenko 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.
"I like playing on grass much more than on clay," Mirza said. "I hope to have more success in the next few weeks. Grass really suits my game as it's so fast and I like the bounce. It helps as I take risks to win matches. I've had a few injuries this year and I'm coming back from an injury now (low back and wrist) so that's what's held me back this year."
The win raised Mirza's win-loss record to 6-10 on the year.
Other players into the second round were Slovak Jarmila Gajdosova (d. Meng), China's Peng Shuai (d. (Q) Pratt from a set down), and American lucky loser Bethanie Mattek (d. Schruff 6-1 in the third).
Some players will be doubling-up in matches Wednesday due to the rain, with highlights including Sharapova vs. Rolle, Mirza vs. Perry, and Peng vs. Jankovic.
