Kolkata, Sep 16 (IANS) India's Sanaa Bhambri caused the first upset of the Sunfeast Open Saturday when she defeated big-serving Dutchwoman Brenda Schultz-McCarthy in three sets in a qualifying match.

The 691st ranked Bhambri won 0-6, 6-3, 7-6 (9-7).

After winning the first set quite easily, Schultz-McCarthy was surprised by Bhambri's solid returns and baseline play. In the second, Bhambri broke Schultz-McCarthy to take a 4-3 lead and pocketed the set 6-3.

In the third set, both the players held serves to six games all, sending the game to a tiebreaker.

"I had no clue as to what was happening in the first set. But in the second I regained my composure and started to hold my serves. I knew if I can return the balls well she was bound to make mistakes," Bhambri said after the match.

"It's always good to win a big match in the first round. It sets you up for the tournament. With more such exposure and more tournaments like this I am bound to play better in the coming days."

Schultz-McCarthy was once ranked world number 9 and has won seven singles and nine doubles titles.