Sania goes down to Hantuchova

Sania Mirza pulled off a set before going down fighting against world No. 17 Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia in the first round of the Medibank International Open in Sydney today. Sania, playing in her first WTA Tour match of the season, went down 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 to US Open mixed doubles champion in a centre court match at the $600,000 event.

The 19-year-old, ranked 34, had marked her return to the courts with an exhibition event in Hong Kong after a back strain brought Sania’s 2005 season to an early end. “I think I have recovered sufficiently from the problem,” Sania said.

“It will take me a few months for sure in match pressure situations before I expect to be confident with what I am trying to execute. But for a start — pretty good,” Sania said of what she had picked from her training under Roche.