Mirza fails German exam

2009 runner-up perishes in round one

Last updated: 10th February 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Mirza fails German exam

Mirza: Early exit

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India's Sania Mirza suffered a disappointing three-set defeat to Tatjana Malek in round one of the Pattaya Open.

Mirza, who was a runner-up at the Thailand event in 2009, surrendered a one-set lead before falling 3-6 6-4 6-3 to her German opponent.

The world number 59 claimed a break in the opening game however Malek's aggressive baseline play allowed her to level at 2-2.

But the Indian player took the first set 6-3 after dropping just three points in the last four games.

However, instead of solidifying her advantage in the second set, Mirza allowed several opportunities to slip away as Malek levelled at 6-4.

Three breaks to start the final set left Malek leading 2-1, and although she failed to serve out the match at 5-2, she broke sixth-seeded Mirza once more at 5-3 to secure her victory.

Fifth seed Sybille Bammer fared better, but had to battle hard to overcome New Zealand's Marina Erakovic 7-6 (10-8) 7-5.

Third seed Vera Dushevina of Russia had an easier task in overcoming Kazak Galina Voskoboeva 6-4 6-2 but seventh seed Kimiko Date Krumm of Japan was forced to retire with an left ankle injury when trailing Australia's Anastasia Rodionova 6-1 1-0.

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