Sania to meet Govortsova in US Open first round

Sania Mirza will open her US Open tennis campaign against Olga Govortsova of Belarus. It will be 71st-ranked Sania's third meeting with Govortsova. Sania won their first meeting and conceding the second time midway through.

The Indian had beaten the 64th-ranked Belarussian in staight sets in 2007 at Cincinnati. However, in their last meeting at the 2008 Qatar Open first round, Sania pulled out in the final set due to muscle cramps.

In her preparation for the US Open, the Indian has been playing on the International Tennis Federation (ITF) circuit. She won the $50,000 Lexington challenger in July and then made it to the final of the $75,000 ITF Vancouver Open earlier this month.

If Sania overcomes Govortsova, she is likely to run into 10th seed Italian Flavia Pennetta, who beat her in the Indian Wells Open in March.