Date:08/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/08/stories/2009010860472300.htm

Sport - Tennis

Sania loses

HONG KONG: Sania Mirza, who is coming back after a wrist injury, lost to Anna Chakvetadze as Russia powered into the final of the World Team Challenge on Wednesday, with Vera Zvonareva and Chakvetadze notching straight-sets singles wins.

Chakvetadze sealed Russia’s passage by dispatching Sania 6-4, 6-4 to give her team an unassailable 2-0 lead in the semifinal clash with Asia-Pacific.

The world No. 18 broke Mirza in the first game of the match and although the Indian broke back in the eighth game, Chakvetadze responded immediately, breaking again and serving out for the set.

Fights back but…

Mirza, who has slipped to 100 in the world following a serious injury, was broken again in the first game of the second set and although she fought her way back into the set, the Russian broke her again in the ninth game and served out for the match.

Earlier, seventh-ranked Zvonareva trailed China’s Zheng Jie in both sets but battled back each time to seal a 7-6(3), 6-4 win in the year-opening exhibition tournament.

The JB Group Classic World Team Challenge, which runs until January 10, features four three-player teams representing Europe, Russia, the Americas and Asia-Pacific.

Winners of the semifinals, in which there are two singles and a doubles match, advance to the gold group final while the loser will play in the silver group final. — Agencies