Sania Mirza loses her second round match, ending her Australian Open campaign, but she promises to fight another day.
MELBOURNE: Top Asian hope Sania Mirza was bundled out of the Australian Open in the second round on Thursday by Japan’s Aiko Nakamura but was unfazed, saying there was always a tomorrow. The Indian star, who has failed to shine in the big events, collapsed 6-3 6-2 against the Japanese player, who also made the third round here last year.
Sania, who oozes confidence even in defeat, said it was an off day and nothing more. “There’s not much you can do when you play like that,” she said. “I’m obviously disappointed but all players have off days, although it does hurt more because it’s a Grand Slam. But that’s the beauty of tennis. There’s always a tomorrow.”
Sania has never got beyond the fourth round in nine Grand Slam attempts and slipped down the rankings to 53 last year.
But the 20-year-old said she had time on her side and was constantly working to improve. “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,” she said. “I like to think I’ve got a few years ahead of me yet. I think everyone in India will be disappointed but the fans there are always very supportive. I have a lot of love and affection there. Every match is a learning experience.”
Against Nakamura, Sania failed to get her serve going and was too inconsistent, hitting some shots on the button but spraying others. “The court felt like it was too small and I just couldn’t put the ball in,” she said. “My serve was average and my forehand wasn’t working.”
Despite the loss, she is still in the doubles, teaming with Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain, and is already looking forward to her next tournament in Thailand. With the weight of expectations from her adoring public back home, she said she wasn’t ready to set any targets for this year. “I’m not aiming to be a certain ranking or to win a certain tournament. I’m just going to try and take it match by match,” she said.
Nakamura, who now plays former champion Martina Hingis in the third round, had words of support for Mirza. “She is a very good player, I just think she had a bad day,” said the Osaka resident.
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