US Open:

Mirza, Devvarman charge into round two

Jim SLATER

India's Sania Mirza and Somdev Devvarman have already had a successful US Open only one day into the year's last Grand Slam tournament thanks to impressive first-round triumphs for each on Monday.

In a historic double for their homeland, Mirza defeated Olga Govortsova of Belarus 6-2, 3-6, 6-3, while qualifier Devvarman downed Portugal's Frederico Gil 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 to reach the second round on the Flushing Meadows hardcourts. "I'm really happy we have two players in the second round of a Grand Slam. Things are looking up," Mirza said. "For a long time I was the only player in singles draws at the Grand Slams. It's great Somdev is playing well."

Mirza, who has struggled after a right wrist injury last year, went 1-5 in one 2009 stretch but fought through the pain and fear of a career-threatening injury to the Birmingham semi-finals in June and an important US Open victory.

"The toughest thing is to get that first win under your belt," Mirza said. "Under the circumstances I'm just happy I can come through that match and get off to a good start.

"To me it has already been successful." Devvarman, a two time US college champion who reached the Chennai final in his hometown back in January, reached a Slam main draw for the first time in four tries with three qualifying wins, then made the most of his opportunity.

"I finally qualified for a Slam and won a match," Devvarman said. "I really dug in there, didn't get tight.

"I competed well. That's what gets you through those tough ones - the way you compete.

"I don't want to jinx myself but I feel good about where I am. I've had a couple of quality wins. It gives me a lot of confidence and belief that I can come out and compete with anyone.

My game is up there with the rest." Devvarman, ranked 162nd, will next face Philipp Kohlschreiber, the German 23rd seed who beat Italy's Andreas Seppi 6-0, 6-4, 6-4.

Mirza, ranked 74th, faces a tough second-round test against Italian 10th seed Flavia Pennetta. But she sent 65th-rated Govortsova packing and in some ways has never been better.

"I'm happy with the way I'm playing," Mirza said. "Physically I've never been fitter in terms of the way I'm moving on the court and playing in matches.

"I came up with the big shot that I needed to have. I have that big weapon when I need to use it."

Mirza, 24, is finally over her injury and ready to make a run at her career high ranking of 27th from 2007. NEW YORK, Tuesday (AFP)