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US Open Qualifier

Nirupama Vaidyanathan, India's top woman player, lost in the final round of the US Open qualifiers to Jelena Kostanic of Crotia 1-6, 1-6.

It was strange to see the flip flop from one match to another and Nirupama's poor record in the final qualifying rounds of tournament continues. She has lost quite a few in the final round like this one. And in some other qualifier she would have a chance to be a lucky loser entry, but at US Open, since she was one of the lowest ranked players in the draw, she won't get it.

Nirupama wasn't able to take points off Jelena's serve throughout the match and also had serious trouble in her own service games. She was down 0-4 quickly in the first set wne her serve was broken in game 2. She quickly came back and had Jelena serving at 30-40. Then had 4 more break points at ADs out, but could not force the break. After which she held her serve for the first and only time in this match and it was 1-5 and Jelena won the set easily.

In the second set, Nirupama was broken right in the begining. She tried to get the break back and had Jelena down 15-40 and once again could not force a break as she let go the 6th and 7th break chances in a row. She again went up to triple break points on Jelena's serve in the 4th game and finally forced a break. But after that, Jelena broke back and took the match right away.

No the Indian hope at US Open will again be on the doubles duo of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi.