Petrova outclasses Sania

Sania had beaten Petrova in their only previous meeting on the hard courts of San Diego in 2005, the breakthrough year for the Indian starlet, but the Russian repaid the compliment on the grass at All-England Club with a dominating display.

Sania began sluggishly and was soon 0-3 down as a result of frequent over-hitting and a weak serve which allowed Petrova to take the initiative. Sania8217;s slow movement did not help either and she was forced to go for winners from difficult positions resulting in errors.

Petrova, on the other hand, was a picture of consistency and her solid serve bailed her out on the only three break points that she faced. At the other end, Sania had her serve broken four times, twice in each set.

She managed only 32 per cent points on her second serve as against 62 per cent registered by Petrova. The four double faults also did not help.

Though the unforced errors were almost same for both players 18 for Sania, 17 for Petrova, the Indian8217;s mistakes usually came at crucial junctures. Petrova got off to a flier in the first set, showing intent right from the word go and was 3-0 up in no time. Sania could not recover from the early setback.

The next few games went with serve till Sania was to serve at 2-5 to stay in the set. But loose errors and constant pressure from the Russian resulted in Petrova pocketing the set without having to serve for it.

Things looked bleak for Sania when she was broken in the beginning of the second with Petrova gaining a 2-0 lead. The Hyderabad girl, however, had two break points in the third game but could not capitalise. On one of them, Petrova came up with a shoestring forehand passing shot to deny Sania.

Another problem for Sania was her reluctance to approach the net as she won only two of five points when she came forward to volley. Petrova had a far better success rate, winning 12 of 14 points when she came to the net. Sania will now have to concentrate on the ladies8217; doubles where she is partnering Shahar Peer of Israel. She will team up with compatriot Mahesh Bhupathi in the mixed doubles.

Paes-Damm advances

8226; Leander Paes and his Czech Republic partner Martin Damm today defeated Chris Haggard of South Africa and Marcin Matkowski of Poland in a stiff encounter to advance to the Wimbledon men8217;s doubles second round. The fifth seeded Indo-Czech pair edged past Haggard and Matkowski 7-6 7-4, 6-3, 7-5.

In the second round, Paes and Damm will play the winners of the match between James Auckland of England and Australian Stephen Huss and Ilia Bozoljac of Serbia and the Czech Republic8217;s Dick Norman.

Bhupathi/Stepanek pull out
New Delhi: Mahesh Bhupathi will be seen in action only in the mixed doubles in Wimbledon, where he is partnering Sania Mirza.
According to sources, Bhupathi and Radek Stepanek withdrew from the men8217;s doubles event last evening as Stepanek pulled out citing fitness problems. Stepanek, however, will be playing in the singles.