The mixed doubles second round of the Australian Open will feature Sania Mirza and Rajeev Ram
On Thursday, they won in straight sets over Serbia’s Aleksandra Krunic and Nikola Cacic.
During a 69-minute opening round that lasted 6-3 7-6(3), Ram served well and also worked hard at the net. Ram is the defending champion. A mixed title had been won here by him and Czech partner Barbora Krejcikova in 2021.
As early as the second game, they had a chance to win, but Mirza hit a forehand into the net on the deciding point.
When Mirza couldn’t volley the ball, Krunic’s team had another chance on the serve of Krunic but it went begging as well. It took the final point for Krunic’s team to break.
Ram then served out the next game at love for a 4-1 victory.
In the first set, Mirza too made a lot of first serves as the team cruised to victory. A solid serve from Ram and a smooth volley from Mirza sealed the set for the Indo-Americans.
On a weak return from Cacic, Mirza sent a big forehand to Krunic to earn the first break chance of the second set. But the Indian hit the forehand long on the deciding point.
Mirza earned the team two break points on Krunic’s serve in the sixth game with a stunning cross-court winner.
But the Serbians held the game, as Krunic served wide and Mirza’s return was dispatched by Cacic for a volley winner.
At 5-5, Krunic served big for a crucial hold, and now Mirza must serve under pressure to force the tiebreaker. But the Indian served it out in love.
Both Krunic and Cacic lost a point each on their serves, giving the Indo-American pair three match points. Mirza and Ram won the match after Cacic made an error on his return of serve.
In the mixed doubles event, Rohan Bopanna is also competing. Croatia’s Darija Jurak Schreiber has paired him up with him, and they will compete on Saturday.
