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Sania all set for action on Tuesday.

DUBAI - Sania Mirza’s wildcard entry into this year’s Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships is likely to have Dubai tennis fans rushing for the ticket booth to show their support for her opening match on Tuesday.

“Sania is one of the players the crowd just loves here in Dubai and I have no doubt they will come out in full force to support her tomorrow,” said Colm McLoughlin, managing director of tournament owners and organisers Dubai Duty Free.

The 24-year-old Indian star has always been a crowd favourite at this event and 2011 is likely to be no different.

Mirza found it tough going here last year, losing out in the first round to Spain’s Annabel Medina Garrigues. She’ll fancy her chances this year, however, coming up against Akgul Amanmuradova of Uzbekistan in the first round. The two have gone head to head three times before and Mirza boasts a 3-0 winning record.

“I’m really looking forward to getting started here,” said Mirza. “The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships is almost like a home tournament for me and I love the crowds here. It’s always really special and hopefully I can do well this week,” she added.

Meanwhile, world number five Samantha Stosur got a glimpse of one of the city’s newest icons with a visit to Meydan Racecourse ahead of the tennis championships.

Stosur was particularly impressed with the Meydan Grandstand — a building that stretches out a total of 1.6km, including the boathouse and receiving barns.

With a capacity of 60,000, this landmark stadium houses the world’s first luxury 5-star trackside hotel, The Meydan, breeding and training facilities, the Meydan Museum and Gallery, an IMAX Theatre, the Dubai Racing Club and Emirates Racing Authority office.

“This is a very impressive facility. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything quite like it,” said Stosur. “Dubai never fails to come up with new and innovative things – that’s why we all like coming and playing here each year in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships,” she added.

“Sam has made remarkable progress since focusing more on singles than doubles,” said Colm McLoughlin, managing director of tournament owners and organisers Dubai Duty Free. “We are looking forward to seeing what he can achieve here in Dubai,” he added.

As one of the top seeds, Stosur has been handed a bye in the first round and will come up against the winner of the clash between Sara Errani of Italy and qualifier Zuzana Kucova of Slovakia in the second.