AFP
New York, August 29: India's Sania Mirza scored one of her best wins of the year to move smoothly into the second round at the US Open on Monday.
The 19-year-old from Hyderabad beat experienced Croat Karolina Sprem 6-4, 6-2 in 75 minutes and will next play Italian 14th seed Francesca Schiavone.
Mirza, who lost in the quarter-finals at the Forest Hills US Open primer last week, was steadier on her serve and more aggressive with her groundstrokes.
She got the breakthrough she was looking for in the 10th game to take the opening set 6-4.
That was a huge boost to her confidence and she quickly pushed home her advantage jumping out into a 4-1 lead and taking the set 6-2 to move into the second round.
"I stuck to my game plan. She was a tough player to get in the first round.
She has been in the top 15 in the world.
"My serving was the key. Hardcourt is my favourite surface. It's faster than at the Australian and the French and New York is my favourite place."