Sania Mirza and her American partner Rajeev Ram advanced to the second round of the Australian Open mixed doubles with a convincing straight-set victory over the Serbian pair of Aleksandra Krunic and Nikola Cacic on Thursday. Ram showcased powerful serving and solid net play, securing a 6-3, 7-6(3) triumph in a 69-minute opening-round encounter. As the defending champion alongside Czech partner Barbora Krejcikova in 2021, Ram demonstrated his prowess on the court.
Mirza, who announced her retirement after the 2022 season, delivered a strong performance in serving. Despite missing an early opportunity in the second game, the duo eventually secured a break on Krunic’s serve. Ram continued to dominate with flawless serving, and Mirza’s skillful volleys contributed to their first-set lead.
In the second set, Mirza’s powerful forehand created break opportunities, but a crucial mistake on the deciding point delayed their success. However, a stunning cross-court winner by Mirza and resilient play by the Indo-American team led to crucial breaks. Despite a brief challenge from the Serbian pair, Mirza and Ram closed out the match with precision, winning on their third match point.
Looking ahead, Rohan Bopanna is also competing in the mixed doubles event, partnering with Croatia’s Darija Jurak Schreiber, and is scheduled to compete on Saturday.