Hingis advance at Dubai Open
(AP)
Updated: 2006-02-22 09:10

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Martina Hingis made her return to Dubai a winning one Tuesday with a 6-3, 7-5 victory over Sania Mirza of India.

Martina Hingis of Switzerland celebrates after defeating Sania Mirza of India during their Dubai Open tennis tournament in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, February 21, 2006. [Reuters]

Hingis, returning from a three-year retirement and already ranked No. 50 after six weeks back on the tour, broke Mirza's serve six times in the first-round match.

"It felt more like a soccer match out there," Hingis said. "She is not very big built and when she hits that forehand, you think `Whoa! Where did that come from?' But she needs to be more consistent."

Mirza was impressed after her first match with the five-time Grand Slam winner.

"Martina is one player I admired and was really disappointed that she wasn't around when I started playing the tour," Mirza said. "I am just excited to play with her and I think I played a great match and made her work hard for her points."

A wild-card entry into the field, Hingis won the inaugural Dubai Open in 2001 and hadn't been back since. Hingis next meets sixth-seeded Anastasia Myskina.

Also, fifth-seeded Nadia Petrova lost to Maria Kirilenko 6-4, 6-1; Svetlana Kuznetsova beat qualifier Martina Muller 6-2, 6-0; and seventh-seeded Francesca Schiavone beat Virginie Razzano 6-4, 6-4.

Martina Navratilova, who turns 50 this year and is recovering from knee surgery, lost in the tournament's first doubles match. She and Liezel Huber, seeded fourth, were eliminated by Jelena Jankovic and Li Na 6-1, 7-5. Navratilova plans a full schedule of doubles in 2006, including the Grand Slams, and might resume singles.