US Open 2016: Monica Niculescu credits Sania Mirza for win against Barbora Strycova

Romania’s Monica Niculescu dumped Czech 18th seed Barbora Strycova out of the US Open on Monday and credited Indian doubles star Sania Mirza with the victory. Niculescu won 6-3, 6-7 (3/7), 6-1 in her opener and paid tribute to Mirza with whom she teamed last weekend to win the doubles title at New Haven. “I learned so much from that week, and she gave me so many tips on how to play certain girls and how to see the game,” the 28-year-old world number 35 told @wta_insider. “She has so much power and it was so nice to play with her; she was hitting so big and I just had to go to the net and do my stuff. “I learned so many things. I want to thank her for playing with me, and I felt fantastic. I’m hoping to play again, when I can with her, because it was great.”