Sania stumbles at Nakamura hurdle

Sania Mirza could not rein in a string of unforced errors and crashed out of the Australian Open singles following a 3-6, 2-6 second round loss to Japan's Aiko Nakamura on Thursday.

Sania Mirza could not rein in a string of unforced errors and crashed out of the Australian Open singles following a 3-6, 2-6 second round loss to Japan's Aiko Nakamura on Thursday.

The Indian was erratic throughout, committing 26 unforced errors in all, as Nakamura outplayed her in just over an hour to set up a third round clash with Swiss Martina Hingis.

Sania thus failed to better her 2005 show at the Melbourne Park, where she had reached the third round before losing to eventual champion Serena Williams.Nakamura, it seemed, had learnt her lessons from the 2005 loss to Sania in the Japan Open — the only face-off between the two players before Thursday’s match — and was clearly the more disciplined, breaking the Indian thrice in the opening set.

Sania also managed to convert the two break points that came her way but never looked to be in her elements and committed 12 unforced errors compared to Nakamura's six to surrender the first set in just 33 minutes.

The second set followed almost the same script and Nakamura gave no chance to the world number 53, breaking her serve twice. The Hyderabadi wasted two break points and served poorly, committing three double faults apart from 14 unforced errors to bow out of the first Grand Slam of the year. Sania later admitted that she was not in her best form. ''There's not much you can do when you play like that. I'm obviously disappointed but all players have off days, although it hurts more because it's a Grand Slam,'' she said.

Sania said the match was a learning experience for her and she was not unduly worried about making early exits in Grand Slams. ''Every match is a learning experience. But that's the beauty of tennis. There's always tomorrow,'' she said.

''I don't think there's too much for me to worry about. I'm only 20 and have only been on the tour for two years. I like to think I've got a few years ahead of me yet,'' she added.

Later, Sania partnering with Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain defeated Sandra Kloesel of Germany and Aravane Rezai of France 6-1, 6-4 to advance to the second round of the women's doubles event.