Hobart, Jan 9: Error prone, Sania Mirza's hopes of making the semi-finals ended up in a smoke as the Indian star went down fighting 5-7, 6-1, 3-6 to Italy's Flavia Pennetta in the 1,70,000 dollar Moorilla International tennis here today.

The sixth seed Indian, who had beaten Russian Alla Kudryavtseva easily 6-3,6-4 in the pre quarter-finals failed to reproduce the same form against Pennetta. The World number 27 Indian was eratic and committed several unforced error at crucial moments which cost her the match. Pennetta, who made it to the quarters after Australian qualifier Jelena Dokic pulled out due to injury midway through the the first set of their second round match, fully captalised on the Indian's error prone game especially in the third set to book the last four berth.

The fancied Indian wasted seven of the 12 break points and crashed out. Later Penneta was candid enough to admit that her victory was made easier by Sania's eratic display. ''It was not a very good match for the people to watch,'' She said.

UNI