Mirza overcomes second-set lapse to advance

NEW YORK, Aug 29 (Reuters) Sania Mirza overcame a second-set lapse to breeze by Estonian Kaia Kanepi 6-2 6-7 6-1 and advance to the second round of the US Open.

Mirza, seeded 26th, committed 32 unforced errors but half of them came in the second set.

''Today, I just felt a bit up and down the whole match,'' said the 20-year-old Indian. ''It's a fast surface and she hits the ball pretty big. It's very hard to get your rhythm.

''There are not too many rallies when you play her. Finally, when there is a rally, you make a mistake because you're not used to it.

''It wasn't the best match I've played by far. What is important is that you come out winning. You also want to finish strong. That's what gives you confidence for the next round.'' Mirza, hampered by a nagging wrist injury, needed only 26 minutes yesterday to win the final set and advance to a second-round match against American Laura Granville.

While conceding she had a mid-match wobble, Mirza said the 22-year-old Kanepi lifted her game to force the final set.

''She played a lot better in the second set,'' said Mirza.

''She was so much more relaxed and she was going for it. She was hitting a lot more winners.

''Someone who plays like that, you can't keep that up for three sets. I just wanted to hang in there. In the third set, I started getting a bit more aggressive.

''It was the first match of a slam and the first match of a new tournament so it's always hard.'' Mirza, who reached the fourth round of the 2005 Open, said she is playing the best tennis of her career.

''I'm playing better every day and learning and improving,'' she said. ''I feel confident and I'm hitting the ball well. It's my goal to make it to the second week here.'' Reuters RKM VP0455