Sania Mirza’s US Open campaign came to a screeching halt with a defeat in the second round of the mixed doubles event while Yuki Bhambri got off to a perfect start in boys’ singles, winning his first round match without straining a sinew.
Sania and her Canadian partner Daniel Nestor proved no match for their American opponents Travis Parrott and Carly Gullickson and went down 1-6 4-6 in under one hour at Flushing Meadows.
After being routed in the first set, Sania and Nestor put up an improved show in the second but the Americans never really relaxed their grip and clinched the issue.
The local pair broke the Indo-Canadian pair twice in the first set to take the lead. Sania and Nestor had a breakpoint in the tight second set but failed to convert and paid the price.
This was Sania’s third second round defeat of the tournament, having crashed out of the singles and women’s doubles events earlier.
Meanwhile, top-seed Yuki Bhambri demolished the challenge of local boy Jordan Cox 6-2 6-1 in just 56 minutes to advance to the second round.
The junior world number one broke his rival twice in the first set and thrice in the second and only once he faced the threat of a break of serve.
He will next clash with Swiss Sandro Ehrat, who beat Patrik Brydolf 6-2 6-4 in his first round clash.
