Sania Mirza overcomes injury to down Castano

Sania Mirza battled through the pain barrier to reach the second round of Wimbledon with a scrappy 7-6 3-6 6-4 win over Colombia’s Catalina Castano on Tuesday.The Indian number one, making a comeback after undergoing wrist surgery in April, needed a medical time out at 4-1 down in the second set to treat a pectoral injury.

Although the rub down could not save her from losing the second set, Mirza stood firm in the decider to wrap up victory after two hours 16 minutes.

"It’s always good to get through matches like that, even when you’re not playing your best, you’re coming back from an injury," Mirza told reporters.

"Today I actually felt nervous again to go out. I didn’t really sleep well last night, to be honest. But I think that happens when you’re coming back from injury.

"You’re probably expecting things from yourself which you’re probably not able to do as well as you did before.

"But getting through matches like this is what’s going to help you get better, and I think it was very good for me to get through that."

While Mirza lapped up the applause from the vocal Indian fans packed into court 11, Castano was left to reflect on yet another fleeting visit to the All England Club.

In six appearances at the grasscourt grand slam, she has lost in the first round every time.

Mirza, seeded 32nd, will next face Spaniard Maria Martinez Sanchez as she attempts to reach the third round here for the first time.

The 21-year-old, however, admitted her wrist still did not feel 100 percent.

"Medically, it’s fine now," said Mirza, who could face defending champion Venus Williams in the third round.

"But I still have pain when I hit a late forehand because that’s something that even the doctors have said stays.

"Sometimes it goes away in three months, sometimes it takes eight months. So that’s something that you kind of have to play through. It’s a new wrist so it takes time getting used to taking 100 mile an hour balls for over two hours.

"But I’m feeling like I can compete again and what the hell, I’m winning a match."