Sania fails to do enough in Round 3

BIRMINGHAM: Sania Mirza crashed out of the DFS Classic after she was defeated by Meilen Tu of the United States 2 6,6 4,7 6(3) on Thursday.

The Indian teenager had reached the third round of a WTA Tour event for the first time in eight months on Wednesday, overcoming fitness worries, rain-sodden conditions, and Shenay Perry in three sets on Wednesday.

Sania, who has been struggling with back problems this year, was in decent enough shape against the world number 72 from the United States to underline her considerable potential on grass with a 7-5, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3 victory.

Meanwhile, top seed Maria Sharapova beat Li Na of China 6-2 6-4 on Thursday to reach the quarter-finals. Sharapova, playing her first tournament in 10 weeks, broke Li’s serve twice early in the first set and then closed her out after she double faulted with the score 4-4.

The 2004 Wimbledon champion, looked more comfortable on grass as she sought a third straight win in the DFS. She’s now won 12 straight matches at the Wimbledon warm-up in England’s second city.