Sania crashes out of Istanbul Cup, loses in first round

Istanbul, May 22 (UNI) Struggling to find form after a long injury lay-off, Sania Mirza lost to Meghann Shaughnessy of USA 4-6, 3-6 in the first round to crash out of the Istanbul Cup here today.

Sania, who lost in the opening round of the Morocco Open last week in her first tournament after injury, failed to find her rhythm besides having to lose crucial points to the American opponent's half a dozen aces, three each in the two sets, to the Indian's one in the whole match.

After conceding the first set 4-6 to her lower-ranked opponent, the 20-year-old Hyderabadi lost direction and committed four service double faults to the American's one in the second set to lose it 3-5 and the match in one hour and 21 minutes in the 2,00,000 dollar Tier III event.

Sania will pair with Chan Yung Jan of Chinese Taipei in doubles against the Romanian pair of Sorana Cirstea and Agnes Szatmari in the first round.

UNI