Sania crashes out of JP Morgan singles with first round defeat

Los Angeles, Aug 9 (UNI) Sania Mirza's late challenge against 16th seed Jelena Jankovic was not enough to avert an early exit and the Indian teen crashed out of the singles event with a straight set, first round defeat in the JP Morgan Chase Open here.

After a lackadaisical start, Sania fought her heart out for about one hour and 23 minutes before her Serbian opponent clinched the issue 6-2, 7-6(3).

This was end of all roads for Sania, who had earlier lost her first round doubles match, partnering South African Liezel Huber, against the Serbian-Russian pair of Ana Ivanovic and Maria Kirilenko in the 600,000 dollar WTA Tier II event.

Ranked 44th, Sania needed to do something extraordinary to get the better of her opponent who is currently world number 28. But Sania let down herself in the first set and her serve was far from impressive.

Sania was broken thrice in the set and she managed to scratch once but that didn't make much of a difference as Jelena walked away with the set.

Sania seemed determined for a comeback in the second set and she served better this time. She exchanged two break points with her opponent but wasted two more while it was 100 per cent conversion record for Jelena.

With two players refusing to concede an inch without a fight, the set was stretched to the tie-breaker and here Sania lost the plot.

Jelena's experience stood her in good stead and the Serbian tamed the Indian to breeze into the second round.

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