Sania falters in first round, in doubt for doubles challenge

Sania was carrying a niggling left knee problem and she wore straps during her 6-7, 6-2, 3-6 loss to France’s Virginie Razzano in the singles first round. Her doubles participation with Russia’s Elena Vesnina now rests on the result of an ultrasound scan.

This was Sania’s third exit in the first round in seven appearances at Wimbledon while she had progressed upto the second round on four occasions. She had lost in the first round last year also.

On Tuesday, she tweaked her left knee within minutes of starting her singles match and she battled on and even won the second set despite being unable to change direction.

“I’ve had the same injury since just before the French Open. I’ve been playing a lot on it,” Sania said after her singles match. “I tweaked it in the first set. I served and fell on the leg, tried to change direction and jerked it. I was already on painkillers but immediately the pain level went up 10 times.

“I have to see the doctor and get an ultrasound scan. It is very, very painful. I can still serve but I can’t move and change direction. I’m hurting to go up and down stairs and even to walk,” she said.

Sania admitted that the punishing round of singles, doubles and qualifiers took its toll and she would take rest after Wimbledon. “Tennis takes a lot out of you physically and emotionally. I’ve been playing for 12 months continuously. It’s not easy on the body. From the French Open until Birmingham, I have been in action for 21 days without a break.”