Australian Open 2020: Sania Mirza forced to retire from first round

Indian tennis star Sania Mirza was forced to retire from her women's doubles first round match at the Australian Open along with Nadiia Kichenok due to a calf problem. Sania and Kichenok were trailing 2-6, 0-1 against the Chinese pair of Xinyun Han and Lin Zhu when the former could not continue any more.

Earlier, Sania had withdrawn from the mixed doubles draw at the very last moment, leaving Rohan Bopanna no other option but to pair up with a new partner, Nadiia Kichenok from Ukraine. Having returned to action after a two-year maternity break with a title win at the Hobart International, much was expected of Saina in the Australian Open.

However, she had pulled her calf muscle during the training in run-up to the Hobart International and has been feeling the strain in Melbourne as well. On Thursday, the 33-year-old was visibly in pain after the first set and had to take a medical time out. Then, after the first game of the second set, she had to retire due to injury.

More to follow...