India’s tennis star Sania Mirza ended the year on a high by defeating Serbia’s Bojana Jovanovski 4-6 6-3 6-0 to win the 13th Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge at the Habtoor Grand Resort and Spa on Saturday.
Mirza avenged her defeat to the Serb at the Taipei Open on her maiden appearance in the Dubai tournament and picked up 110 WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) ranking points on offer at the $75,000 event.
The new Dubai resident, looked rusty in the opening set against an opponent ranked in the top 100 of the WTA list. However, she turned the tide in the second set by winning four games to take a commanding 5-1 lead.
The lanky Serbian fought back to close the gap but Mirza, ranked 165 in the world served out the set at 6-3 and romped to victory in the decider 6-0.
“She was amazing in the third set. I had no answer to anything she sent across,” said Jovanovski.
Mirza was pleased with her performance having come as an unseeded player.
“This has been a dream end for my season. I will stay back in Dubai for another two days and proceed to India for a few days before going to Auckland (for the new season),” said Mirza.
“It’s nice to win against Javanovski as I lost to her twice earlier,” she added.
Looking ahead to 2011, she said: “I just hope to stay fit for a whole new season.”
Khalaf Al Habtoor, Chairman Al Habtoor Group of Companies, awarded Mirza a special gift along with an annual membership at the Habtoor Grand Resort and Spa.