Sania lets go a Golden opportunity, settles for Silver

Doha, Dec 13 (UNI) Sania Mirza's hope and India's desire for the maiden women gold in Asian Games tennis were shattered as China's Jie Zheng outsmarted the Hyderabadi girl 4-6, 6-1, 1-6 in the singles final here today.

The 20-year-old Indian star was brought down from her high pedestal by the second seed Jie Zheng in the 104-minute battle fought under scorching heat.

The victory was sweet revenge for the 23-year-old Zheng who had lost to Sania in the Hyderabad Open last year.

And in the process, the second seed also settled the scores for her compatriot and top seed Na Li who had been beaten by the Indian in the semifinals.

Zheng, ranked 33 in the world, took time to settle down after she started with a double fault. She, however, soon regained her rhythm producing good shots.

Cheered by passionate expatriate crowd, Sania, ranked 66, played good tennis but the Chinese had her game plan for the final. Zheng played percentage tennis, did not indulge in frills and went for the kill at the crucial moment.

Zheng must have realised that Sania, though looking pumped up, would not last the match if it extended to the third set and she tried to prolong the rallies to sap up her rival's energy.

Sania looked tentative and bit flustered as her rival made her run around from the baseline and her returns were not very effective as well.

Sania lost her sixth game when she double faulted twice but came back to break Zheng in the next game to draw parity. However, the Indian could not read her rival's game well and was broken again in the 10th to lose the set (4-6) in 38 minutes.

The heat took its toll on both the players and the second set failed to produce thrilling tennis.

Still, Sania took over the proceedings of the set with some scintillating ground strokes and powerful forehand cross-court shots as Zheng suddenly looked out of depth.

The Hyderabad girl broke Zheng in the thrd, fifth and seventh games to win the set with amazing ease (6-1) in 35 minutes.

But in the third set, it was time for Sania to face the music.

The Indian having been on the court for 63 minutes looked drained out and here the physical fitness played the key role. Zheng seemed to have achieved her game plan of tiring out her rival.

Sania looked out of sync in the crucial third set and her forehand, ground strokes and serve deserted her while Zheng looked fresh and came out with some stunning deep down the line cross courts which left the Indian stranded near the baseline.

Zheng moved upfront, came near the net a few times but her rival seemed to have thrown in the towel. The partisan crowd's vociferous support notwithstanding, Sania could not cope up with strain of the third set.

A visibly tired Sania failed to hold on to her first, fifth and seventh games and lost the set (1-6) and was smashed out of the match.

In the end, the final turned out to be a battle of attrition between the two players and Zheng being a better tactician and strategist emerged winner.

The Chinses drained out the Indian in two sets and then 'killed' her in the third to retain the Gold for her country.

UNI HSB AY GC1623