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Qatar Open 2020: Sania Mirza falters in first round

Mirza is now gearing up to represent India in the Federation Cup that will be held in Dubai from March 3 to 7, 2020.

Qatar Open 2020: Sania Mirza falters in first round
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By

Sarah Waris

Published: 25 Feb 2020 9:13 AM GMT

Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza went down in the Round of 32 clash at the Qatar Open to bow out of the women’s doubles competition at Doha. Partnering Caroline Garcia of France, the duo were defeated by Laura Siegemund of Germany and Cagla Buyukakcay of Turkey in straight sets 4-6, 5-7.

The Indo-French pair, who had lost in the finals of the Dubai Tennis Championships last week, were unable to pitch in with their best in Qatar, winning just 66% of their first serves. They had a win percentage of 59 in their first service and managed to win 27 receiving points. Their opponents won 33 receiving points, along with 70 points in the clash, while Mirza-Garcia won 61 points.

Mirza is now gearing up to represent India in the Federation Cup that will be held in Dubai from March 3 to 7, 2020. The Chinese city of Dongguan was initially slated to hold the six-team event in February, but the ITF changed the venue due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The 33-year old returned to the professional circuit after a two-year maternity break in early January 2020, and scripted a remarkable comeback after she won her first competitive tournament, the Hobart International, along with Nadiia Kichenok. Her first Grand Slam appearance, however, after her break ended in disappointment as Mirza had to pull out of the Australian Open mid-way into her doubles first-round match due to a calf injury.

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Partnering Kichenok, Mirza played with a heavily strapped right calf and was soon trailing in the second set. After being broken in the first game of the second set, the Hyderabadi found it difficult to continue and had to pull out mid-way through the game. Earlier, she had also pulled out of the mixed doubles category at the Australian Open even before the draw was announced. She was to pair up with India’s Rohan Bopanna.

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