Sania pairs with Corina Morariu, gets tough doubles draw

Melbourne: Sania Mirza and her comrade-in-arms Corina Morariu were handed a tough draw in women's doubles event, which pits the Indo-American pair against 14th seeds Svetlana Kuznetsova (Russia) and Amelie Mauresmo (France) in the first round of the women's doubles event at the Australian Open.

It promises to be an interesting personal battle between Sania and Kuznetsova with the Russian surely eager to avenge her defeat at the hands of the Indian teen in the singles at the Dubai Open last year.

Morariu is placed as high as 11th in the WTA Double Rankings, while the Sania is placed 109th.

On the other hand, Kuznetsova is seventh in the Doubles Rankings while Mauresmo occupies the 58th place.

Meanwhile, if Sania manages to go past Michaella Krajicek in the second round match of the singles event, the Hyderabadi girl is likely to meet third seed Mauresmo provided the Frenchwoman manages to tame compatriot Emilie Loit.