Sania Mirza’s shortcomings on clay was once again exposed when she lost in the second round of the French Open here today. Her straight set loss to 19-year-old Serbian sensation Ana Ivanovic put paid to the hopes of her fans.

The 20-year-old Indian, who registered her maiden win at Roland Garros yesterday, was outclassed by Ivanovic 1-6, 4-6 in an hour and five minutes.

The seventh seeded Ivanovic, now based in Switzerland, slammed seven aces and converted three of the five breakpoints she forced against her Indian rival.

Sania was, however, richer by 23,760 euros for reaching the second round.

She now has a 1-3 win-loss record on clay this season, after her first round exits in Morocco and Turkey in the preceding weeks.

After the loss...

I didn’t hit a ball for nine weeks ... I feel like I’ve had to start from scratch again, she said.

My left leg still feels a lot stronger than my right. I am pleased though because I thought it would take a lot longer to start hitting the ball right again, and clay isn’t my favourite surface.

I’m really looking forward to getting back on grass. I expect I will have an interesting few matches in Birmingham on the way to Wimbledon

The Indian, who has hired the services of coach Gabriel Urpi during the fortnight at French Open, was paired with Eva Birnerova of the Czech Republic in the doubles. The Indo-Czech duo was up against the top seeded pair of American Lisa Raymond and Australian Samantha Stosur. Sania would be partnering Fabrice Santoro in mixed doubles.

... contd.