Australian Open 2023: Sania Mirza-Anna Danilina Sail Into Second Round

Melbourne: In the opening round of the women’s doubles at the Australian Open on Thursday, Indian tennis star Sania Mirza and Kazakhstan’s Anna Danilina, who are seeded seventh, defeated the American-Hungarian pair of Dalma Galfi and Bernarda Pera 6-2, 7-5.

In the second round, the Pair will go up against the Belgian-Ukrainian team of Anhelina Kalinina and Alison Van Uytvanck.

Mirza had intended to retire at the conclusion of the 2022 season due to a longstanding calf issue, but an elbow injury in August prevented her from competing in the U.S. Open.

The tennis prodigy from India, who has lived in Dubai for more than 10 years, will thereafter bid farewell to the sport in the Emirates, where she has competed for many years in front of her massive fanbase. Sania had previously stated that she would end her career as a professional tennis player during the WTA 1000 event, the Dubai Tennis Championships, which starts on February 19.

The 36-year-old had previously posted a tearful message on Instagram in which she discussed her career and said that the 2023 Australian Open will be her final grand slam.