World No 1 doubles player Sania Mirza's campaign in the women's event came to an end as she and her partner Prarthana Thombare lost their first round match against the Chinese pair of Shuai Zhang and Shuai Peng. Zhang and Peng won a closely contested match 7-6 (8-6) 5-7 7-5 that lasted two hours and 44 minutes as the Indian duo did put up a stiff resistance. Indian challenge in tennis now remains confined to Sania and Rohan Bopanna in the mixed doubles -- the only event where they are supposed to have realistic medal chance.


Had his partner been close in terms of quality, Sania would have taken India home as she shouldered bulk of the responsibility.

Prarthana, considered to be the weak link, showed fighting skills but the quality was simply not there. It was her poor service that cost India the match as she lost her serve on multiple occasions.