Sania opens against Japanese qualifier

Indian tennis sensation Sania Mirza will begin her campaign in the Sunfeast Open on Tuesday against Japanese qualifier Juni Namigata.

The 23-year-old Namigata, ranked 283, got past Taipei's Su-wei Hsish 6-7(4-7), 6-3, 6-4 on Sunday to enter the main draw.

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The Japanese, yet to win a WTA title, was placed 519th at the end of last year and had a fast rise up the rankings to reach a career-high of 269 a week back. She slipped 14 slots ahead of the tournament.

Home favourite Sania, who rocketed to 34 in the WTA rankings, is seeded third in the tournament. She had a practice session on Monday morning at the Netaji Indoor stadium before embarking on a promotional trip to two Kolkata schools.

Should Sania beat Namigata she will cross swords with the winner of the first round tie between Hungarian Melinda Czink and Argentinian Ma Emila Salerni for a place in the quarter-final.