Tuesday, March 1 2005 22:27 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Dubai: Sania Mirza put up an incredible performance to oust US Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia with a 6-4 6-2 win in the second round of the Dubai Open women tennis championship in Dubai today (March 1, 2005).

Sania showed great character and played some solid tennis to upset her fourth seeded opponent and moved into the quarterfinal of the high-profile tournament being played at the Dubai Tennis Stadium.

Sania, a wild card entrant, had booked a second round clash against Kuznetsova, who had a first round bye, after upsetting Croatia's Jelena Kostanic in her opening match yesterday (Feb 28, 2005).

In today's match, the Russian raced to a 4-0 lead, giving enough indications of the things to come. But Sania had other plans as she won the next six games in a row to take the first set.

Sania was always on top in the second set as she took the opening game easily before Kuznetsova levelled the score.

The two then held their serves as the score reached 2-2 before Sania stepped on the gas winning the next four games on the trot to book a berth in the last eight stage of the event.

Sania will face the winner of the match between Elia Silvia Farina of Italy and 28th seed Jelena Jankovic in the quarterfinal.

The 18th seed Farina had handed United States' Venus Williams a rare first round defeat yesterday.