Sania Mirza fails in ASB Classic qualifying

Sania Mirza lost against Germany’s Sabine Lasicki in the last round of qualifying for the ASB Classic. She conceded a 5-2 lead in a third set tie-breaker to lose 1-6, 7-6 (7), 6-7 (5). Mirza had to win the match tofor a slot in the main draw of the $220,000 tournament. Sania Mirza’s rankings have fallen from a high of 27 to 141.

Mirza had lost the first set in 23 minutes but leveled the match when she took the second set in a lengthy tie-breaker.

Sania had entered to the final round of the qualifying event, after a straight set win over Silvia Soler Espinosa. She beat the Spaniard 6-2, 6-2 in the second round. Sania had defeated eighth seed Stefanie Voegele of Switzerland 6-4, 6-0 in her opening round.