Sania beats Bondarenko

Sania Mirza hits a backhand during her match against Ukraine's Alona Bondarenko

Birmingham: Sania Mirza, seeded 14th, was stretched to three sets by Alona Bondarenko before prevailing 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 in the first round of the $ 200,000 DFS Classic here on Tuesday. Brilliant in patches, the Hyderabad girl looked determined to prove a point on the grass court. Sania broke her rival three times to race away with the first set 6-2. Related Stories Sania loses in quarters Pressure increasing for Sania Sania reaches DFS Classic quarters Sania declares open tennis school in Edgbaston Mirza relives happy days with grass win Sania beats Bondarenko More Sania Mirza News >> However, the Ukrainian raised her game in the second while Sania suffered a slump in form. The Indian committed too many errors and Bondarenko drew level, winning the set 6-3. However, Sania kept her nerve in the decider to progress to the second round. In the Stella Artois tournament in London, fifth-seeded James Blake defeated Justin Gimelstob 7-5, 6-1 in an all-American, second-round match. On Monday, Briton Tim Henman spoiled the comeback scenario for Andre Agassi as he defeated the tennis icon 6-4, 6-4 in the first round.