Sania Mirza plays against Marta Domachowska on the opening day of the Australian Open. (AFP Photo) |
Sania raced away with the first set in just 25 minutes, breaking the Polish player thrice.
The Indian led 2-0 in the second set before Marta stepped on the gas, winning four games on the trot, breaking Sania in the third and fifth games.
From a comfortable 2-0, Sania found herself trailing 2-4 in no time.
Under pressure, the 22-year-old Hyderabadi got her act together and went on to win the next four games to seal the issue.
Sania broke Marta in the eighth and 10th games in the process.
Sania had lost to Marta in 2003 in their first meeting and now the face-to-face record stands 1-1.
Sania is making her return to singles competition on the WTA Tour, after being forced on the sidelines for four month with a wrist injury.
Sania suffered with injuries after a breakthrough 2005 when she reached the US Open fourth round.
Sania had a 2008 to forget with surgery on her right wrist in April ruining her season. She made brief comebacks before bowing out of the Beijing Olympics in tears.
But she is now hitting the ball harder than ever and hungry for success.
"It was a great way to begin after such a long break," Sania said after the match.
"I've not played a match in almost six months now ... I'm just happy to have come through."