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Australian Open: Sania crashes out of Singles

Sania Mirza out of Australian Open Women Singles
Melbourne, Jan 21: Sania's confidence and hope to beat Russia's Nadia Petrova didn't come to her rescue. On Wednesday, Jan 21 Sania Mirza crashed out of the Australian Open Women Singles after suffering a 3-6, 2-6 hammering at the hands of 10th seed Nadia in the second round at Melbourne.

Indian ace shuttler, was making a comeback to the competitive tennis after a long injury lay-off. With Sania's defeat, India's hope ended in the singles action in the first Grand Slam of the year.

Cashing in on little mistakes of big players is imperative to tame them but the Indian player missed on those chances in both the sets. But unseeded Sania did show some improvement in her ground strokes as she hit some mind blowing double-handed backhand winners but failed to maintain the intensity.

It was now turn of Sania to face a break-point, which she offered by hitting a forehand long, and the Russian gleefully accepted that to go up 3-1. Petrova consolidated the lead to 4-1 by holding her serve in the next game and the set went on serve from there in favour of the Russian.

Indian shuttler did engage her rival in long rallies, showing that she had a plan to set up points, but lacked in execution. But Petrova was calm even in tight situation and held her nerves to ward off the danger.

In the second set again Sania had an early chance to break Petrova, when she had two breakpoints in the fourth game. But Petrova raised her game by a few notches and served extremely well to deny the Indian any chance to make a comeback to the match.

In the fifth and seventh game Petrova break Sania to create a 5-2 lead and served out the set and match with the help of a couple of aces.

Sania Mirza will now play mixed doubles with Mahesh Bhupathi and Women's doubles with American Vania King.


OneIndia News (With inputs from Agencies)

 

I am ready to take on Nadia: Sania Mirza

Melbourne, Jan 20: Sania Mirza, who entered round two of the Australian Open, said that she is confident of beating Nadia Petrova. Sania will clash with 10th seed Nadia Petrova in the women's singles in Melbourne on Tuesday, Jan 20. In an interview to Times Now news channel Sania said, "I am playing well, serving well and my forehand is back as before. I am not thinking about the match and am ready to take on Nadia. When asked.....
User Comments
Mukeshwa Bihari 21 Jan 2009 08:53 pm
Sania Mania got over...the same old story. No excuses Please. Sania was simply outplayed by the ruthless Russian Petrova. Sania is not good enough to be in third round of a grand slam event. Now, the question is... Is the Hyderabadi lass a spent force. Yes, she is. She can continue playing in doubles and mixed doubles but with weak service, poor ground stroke, immobility on the court and lack of motivation she would be trampled by the monster Russians and East Europeans. With looks and mediocre tennis she is heading Anna Kournikova's way. Kaash Maria Sharapova ki Rasta apna leta Toh India ke liya celebration Aur ek waja rehata. Poor Soul
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