Mikaelian through in Key Biscayne

Rising teenage star Marie-Gaïané Mikaelian has become the fourth Swiss woman to reach the second round of this year's Key Biscayne tennis tournament.

Mikaelian (WTA 73) upset Slovakian world number 48 Janette Husarova on Thursday to join Martina Hingis, Patty Schnyder and Emmanuelle Gagliardi in round two of the prestigious Florida event.

The Lausanne player, who turned 18 earlier this month, struggled more with her own inconsistency than against her opponent. But despite serving up 13 double faults, Mikaelian was able to see off Husarova in straight sets (6-4, 7-5).

Panova reunion

The young Swiss will now face Russia’s Tatiana Panova in the second round. Although seeded 28th at Key Biscayne, Panova will be well aware of her opponent’s potential, having lost to Mikaelian in straight sets at last year’s WTA tournament in the Zurich suburb of Kloten.

Swiss number three Gagliardi booked her own place in the second round on Wednesday with a more comfortable straight sets win (6-0, 6-3) over Germany’s Jana Kandarr.

Hingis and Schnyder didn’t have to pick up their rackets to make sure of a place in the second round, with Switzerland’s two top women being handed first round byes by the Key Biscayne organisers.

Federer alone

While the Swiss women can boast a hundred per cent record so far in Florida, their male counterparts have not fared so well.

Swiss number one Roger Federer, who also received a first round bye, will be the country’s only second round representative in the men’s draw following first round defeats on Wednesday for Michel Kratochvil, Marc Rosset and Ivo Heuberger.

by Mark Ledsom