Dubai, Feb 17 : Indian tennis sensation Sania Mirza on Tuesday defeated Russian Ekaterina Makarova 7-5, 6-2 to reach the second round of the Dubai Open.

Sania finished the game in an hour and 27 minutes.

The Indian player would now face 16th seed Spaniard Kaia Kanepi in the second round of the two million dollar Dubai Tennis championship.

Sania, who finished runners-up at last week's Pattaya Open, played a controlled game and broke Makarova thrice out of the nine chances she got to wrap up the match.

In doubles, Sania will open her campaign with Italian Mara Santagelo today. (ANI)