Sania advances in French Open doubles

June 01, 2006

Sania Mirza made light of her first round exit in the singles advancing to the second round of women's doubles of French open.

The 19-year-old Indian, who has leaped to 37 in world doubles rankings, combined with Slovakia's Janette Husarova for a facile 6-1 6-3 against Spaniard Conchita Martinez and Castalina Castano of Columbia.

The duo will next play third seeds Anna-Lena Groanfield of Germany and Meghanshaugnessy of USA.

Sania, who returned to the courts after a three-week break last week in Istanbul where she reached the doubles final with Australian Alicia Molik, had lost to former champion Anastasia Myskina in the singles first round on Tuesday.

Bhupathi wins

Mahesh Bhupathi also kept himself on track to win his third French Open Grand Slam title by steering clear through the first round of men's doubles event.

Bhupathi and Xavier Malisse of Belarus registered an easy 6-2, 6-2 victory over Gilles Muller of Luxemburg and Christophe Rochus of Belarus to move into the second round of the clay court event.

The Indian tennis ace, who has earlier won the title on two occasions in 1999 and 2001, will next play the match winner between 12th seeds Argentine duo of Jose Acasuso and Sebastian Prieto and unseeded American-Russian combine of Tripp Phillips and Dmitry Tursunov.