Sania crashes out of Australian Open

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Melbourne, Jan 18 (UNI) Sania Mirza crashed out of the Australian Open following a 3-6, 2-6 second round loss to Japan's Aiko Nakamura here today.

The Indian was erratic throughout, committing 26 double faults in all, as Nakamura outplayed her in just over an hour to set up a third round clash with Swiss Martina Hingis.

Nakamura, it seemed, had learnt her lessons from the 2005 loss to Sania in the Japan Open -- the only face-off between the two players before today -- and was clearly the more disciplined and broke the Indian thrice in the opening set.

Sania also managed to convert the two break points that came her way but never looked to be in her elements and committed 12 unforced errors compared to Nakamura's six to surrender the first set in just 33 minutes.

The second set followed almost the same script and Nakamura gave no chance to the world number 53, breaking her twice. The Hyderabadi star wasted two break points and served poorly, committing three double faults apart from 14 unforced errors to bow out of the first Grand Slam of the year.

UNI