Lexington, July 27 - Egged on by a huge Indian presence, Sania Mirza overpowered top seed Julie Coin of France 7-6(5), 6-4 to win the $50,000 International Tennis Federation (ITF) Lexington Challenger.

It was second-seeded Sania's only second Challenger tournament in six years as she prepares for the year's last Grand Slam, the US Open in August. Sania's last Challenger was way back in 2003.

The boisterous Indian fans, in the largest paid attendance for the Challenger here, encouraged the 22-year-old Hyderabadi in coming good on big points to edge past her 62nd-ranked opponent.

'For the record turn-out, we owe in no small measure to Mirza's talent, her celebrity status and the passionate fans from her homeland -- students from the University of Kentucky and fans from central Kentucky -- who came out to cheer her on,' said the organisers.

A tearful Coin said she felt she was playing a Fed Cup match.

'It felt like I was playing Fed Cup,' Coin said . 'The Indians were cheering my faults and misses.