Doubles blow for Sania

Melbourne: Sania Mirza’s campaign in the Australian Open ended on Wednesday after she and her Czech partner Renata Voracova crashed out of the women’s doubles event, losing in straight sets to top seeds Gisela Dulko and Flavia Pennetta in the opening round here.
Argentina’s Dulko, who is the world No. 1 doubles players and her world No. 2 Italian partner Pennetta, outplayed the Indo-Czech duo in 6-4, 6-1 in a contest that last just over an hour. The 24-year-old Sania and Voracova fought hard in the first set before losing it 4-6. The second set, however, turned out to be a dampener as the Indo-Czech pair could hardly match their fancied opponents.

Earlier, Sania crashed out of the opening round of the women’s singles event against forme world No. 1 Justine Henin, on Monday. The Indian tennis star gave a tough fight to Henin but lost 5-7, 6-3, 6-1 despite being at the top of her game in the beginning of the tie.

Sania, who won the mixed doubles title here with compatriot Mahesh Bhupathi in 2009, which also is her only Grand Slam triumph, is not taking part in the event this time around.