Hingis Wins, 5 Former No. 1s Feature Wednesday at WTA Dubai

Hingis continued the troubles of late for Sania Mirza, sending the India star's win-loss for the year to a spiraling 3-5 in 2006 with a 6-3, 7-5 defeat.

"I felt I had the game under control and whenever I needed it I was able to step it up," said Hingis, who was far from her best against Mirza, another poor indicator for the Indian No. 1 who received loud vocal support from the Dubai crowd. "It felt more like a soccer match out there. She is not very big built and when she hits that forehand, you think 'Whoa! Where did that come from?' But she needs to be more consistent."

Mirza said she was thrilled to face one of her idols, and felt pressure to strike first in the encounter.

"She's one of the best players who has ever played," Mirza said. "I felt like I was always trying to catch up and wasn't able to get out in front, but I stayed with her point for point for much of the match. She's a counter-puncher and I knew I could never win a battle at the baseline with her so I had to try something different."

Kirilenko, currently at her career-high of No. 23 on the WTA Rankings, posted her first win over Nadia Petrova in three career meetings on Tuesday, comprehensively defeating the No. 5 seed 6-4, 6-1.

"I have worked very hard on my service game, and have also made a conscious effort to reduce the number of mistakes on the court," Kirilenko said. "Also, I have much more experience now."

No. 7 Francesca Schiavone (d. Razzano) was the only seeded winner, joined by unseeded victors in Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova (d. (Q) Muller, bagel in the second), Ukraine qualifier Kateryna Bondarenko (d. Peschke from a set down), Slovak qualifier Henrieta Nagyova (d. (Q) Nagy, bagel in the second), and Tunisia wildcard Selima Sfar (d. Zvonareva from a set down).

Five former No. 1 players feature on Wednesday's schedule: Likhovtseva vs. Davenport, Myskina vs. Hingis, Mauresmo vs. Nagyova, Dushevina vs. Sharapova, Henin-Hardenne vs. K.Bondarenko, with Kirilenko vs. Safarova, Kuznetsova vs. Hantuchova, and Sfar vs. Schiavone.