Sania's errors prove too costly as she loses to Petrova in Round 2
Bundled Out: Sania Mirza reacts on losing a point against Nadia Petrova during their Australian Open second round match this morning. Sania lost 3-6, 2-6. PIC/AP
Sania's errors prove too costly as she loses to Petrova in Round 2
Sania Mirza's Australian Open campaign ended this morning after a straight sets loss to Nadia Petrova.
Sania held her own but made errors at crucial moments to give away the initiative as the 10th seeded Russian won 6-3, 6-2 to enter the third round.
It was always going to be a tough match for the Indian against her much higher ranked opponent, especially considering her long break recuperating from injury.
Wasted chances
However, the Indian had her moments in the first set. Unfortunately she could not capitalise on them to gain an early adavantge.
The pivotal moment came in the third game, when Sania squandered a golden break opportunity.
On Petrova's serve, Sania made an error on a 30-40 to give away a break point.
Those errors would not leave the top-ranked Indian alone - she made 19 unforced errors in the 70-minute long match.
To her credit, Sania did make her opponent work before her errors showed up.
Losing touch
Immediately after that early break chance on her serve, Petrova broke Sania's and then consolidated by holding her serve, racing to a 4-1 lead.
It was all on serve from there on as the first set was won by the Russian 6-3.
The second set saw more of the same, with Sania squandering a lot of opportunities opportunities she set up with her brilliant array of strokes. But when the time came to close out the point, Sania faltered.
Three unforced errors by the Indian on serve and one winner from Petrova gave the Russian her second break of the match.u00a0 There on, it was a easy route to the third round for Petrova.
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