Tennis-Open-Mirza overcomes second-set lapse to advance

By Steve Ginsburg

NEW YORK, Aug 28 (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 U.S. Open on Tuesday.

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 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.