Sania shown the door in 2nd round of Istanbul Cup

New Delhi, May 24 (UNI) Sania Mirza began with a bang but ran out of steam as her Dutch nemesis Michaella Krajicek came from behind to pull the rug from under the Indian's feet in the second round of the 200,000 dollar Istanbul Cup in Turkey today.

Michaella, sister of former Wimbledon champion Richard Krajicek, beat the fifth seeded Hyderabadi 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 to move into the third round of the WTA Tier III event.

Michaella has often brought out her best against Sania and had beaten the Indian in the second round of the Australian Open.

Playing her first tournament since the Fed Cup, a rusty Sania managed to stave off her opponent to pocket the first set but that was a false dawn and world number 54 Michaella was soon back with a vengeance against the 38th ranked Indian.

The Dutch teenager dropped just one game in the second set and two in the third to seal the match in her favour, according to information received here today.

In doubles, Sania and her Australian team mate Alicia Molik face a daunting task as the draw pits the Indo-Australian pair against top seeds Anna-Lena Groenfeld of Germany and her American partner Meghann Shaughnessy in the first round.

UNI AY PDS RK1550