Sania Mirza rallied from behind to overcome the challenge of Renata Voracova in a gruelling three-setter to move into the second round of the WTA AEGON International qualifying event in Eastbourne, UK.
The seventh seed Indian faced stiff resistance from her Czech oppoent but finally prevailed 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the opening round of the qualifying event.
She next faces Georgia's Anna Tatishvili, who beat local wild card Emily Webley-Smith 6-2, 6-4 in her first round match.
In the doubles Sania and her Russian parter Elena Vesnina are seeded third and will open their campaign against Australian pair of Jarmila Gajdosova and Samantha Stosur.
Sania and Elena had ended runners-up at French Open.
Elena is top seed in the singles qualifiers and beat American Jill Craybas 6-3, 6-4 in her opening round.