Mirza v Kostanic.
Dubai

I'm going to contradict my own advice and back Mirza who is returning from an ankle injury. She played and won in the doubles qualifying yesterday and all reports are she is free of any major problems. I watched an interview on Star and she really is a confident young player."My aim is to win the first round, I am not looking much beyond that at the moment" . . . "The preparations have been going well. My ankle still bothers me, but it is not a major concern". Her opponent Kostanic, though ranked 36th, has had a woeful start to 2005, winning only two matches - one of which was a 3-set affair against wildcard and lowly ranked Delacqua (Australian Open). Kostanic's other win was another 3 set affair against the moderate Camerin. Having said all this Kostanic isn't an easy beat, she's a competent all rounder who has been more consistent in the doubles this season. The prices are close which may reflect injury concerns but I still think there's value. Mirza said the event is very important to her momentum (she won Indian Open) and perhaps if her ankle was too problematic, she wouldn't have added the burden of playing doubles.

Mirza $1.87 @ 5Dimes