Sania goes down to Hantuchova in first round
Sydney Jan 9:
Sania Mirza pulled off a set before going down fighting against world number
17 Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia in the first round of the Medibank
International Open in Sydney today. Hantuchova will take on third seed Patty
Schnyder in the second round of the Tier-II event.
Sania, playing in her first WTA tour match of the season, went down 6-4, 2-6,
6-2 to US Open mixed doubles champion in a centre court match at the
$ 600,000 event.
The 19-year-old Hyderabadi, world ranked 34, had marked her return to the
courts with an high-profile exhibition event in Hong Kong last week after a
back strain brought Sania旧 2005 season to an early end.
I think I have recovered sufficiently from the back problem as I had no problems
with it,Sania told PTI.
Handed a tough draw which pitted her against a higher ranked player in the
first round, world No 34 Sania was not ready to give up but Hantuchova
maintained her calm to claim the first set.
Sania was at her best in the second set as she served well and her trademark
power-packed forehand had Hantuchova on a spot of bother and the Indian
conceded just two games before clinching the set and stretch it to the
decider.
Sania was disappointing in the third set as she struggled for rhythm and
suddenly her returns were landing all over but inside the court.
Hantuchova was quick to cash in on her lapses and she did not have to toil
hard to pocket the set and win the match.
Sania, however, retained her 34th position in the latest WTA rankings
announced today with 617.75 ranking points.
The Hong Kong event featured three of the four reigning Grand Slam champions
and Sania got to play two singles and as many doubles matches, pairing up with
world number two Kim Clijsters.
Sania failed to win a set in that event but felt she was still finding her
match rhythm after a tough three-week workout with Tony Roche in Sydney
during the winter break.
It will take me a few months for sure in match pressure situations before I
expect to be confident with what I am trying to execute. But for a start
pretty good,Sania said of what she had picked from her training under Roche.
On the new shoes, custom-designed by Lotto that she has started using only
last week, Sania said, I am a lot more comfortable in them than I ever was
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