BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) _ India's Sania Mirza defeated Ukraine's Alona Bondarenko 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 at the rain-interrupted DFS Classic on Tuesday.
Mirza has been struggling with injuries this season _ the latest to her back and wrist _ and lost in the first round of five of her last 10 tournaments.
``I like playing on grass much more than on clay, so I hope to have more success in the next few weeks,'' she said. ``Grass really suits my game as it's so fast and I like the bounce. It helps as I take risks to win matches.
``I've had a few injuries this year and I'm coming back from an injury now, so that's what's held me back this year.''
Only four matches were completed before rain ended the day's play prematurely. That forced organizers to schedule 30 matches on Wednesday to complete the first round and at least start the second.
China's Peng Shuai defeated Australian qualifier Nicole Pratt 2-6, 7-5, 6-4; American lucky loser Bethanie Mattek beat Germany's Julia Schruff 6-4, 6-7 (6), 6-1 and Slovakia's Jarmila Gajdosova downed China's Yuan Meng 6-3, 6-4.
Top-seeded Maria Sharapova of Russia, the two-time defending champion, is scheduled to open against American qualifier Ahsha Rolle.
