Sania Mirza was handed a tough draw in the women's doubles at the Australian Open.
The Indian ace and her American partner Corina Morariu will play 14th seeds Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia and Amelie Mauresmo of France in the first round.
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The match promises to be an interesting personal battle between Sania and Kuznetsova, with the Russian surely eager to avenge her defeat to the Indian teen sensation in the singles at the Dubai Open last year.
Morariu, a former world No. 1 in doubles, is placed as high as 11th in the WTA Doubles Rankings, while the Sania is 109th. The American had won the Wimbledon title partnering Lindsay Davenport in 1999. They were runners-up at the Australian Open last year. She was away from the circuit for a long time after being diagnosed with leukemia in 2001 and returned to the circuit only a couple of years back
On the other hand, Kuznetsova is seventh in the Doubles Rankings while Mauresmo occupies the 58th place.
Meanwhile, if Sania gets past Michaella Krajicek in the second round of the singles event, she is likely to meet third seed Mauresmo, provided the Frenchwoman beats compatriot Emilie Loit.
In her opening singles match, Sania beat Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.
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