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I had a decent match: Sania
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May 24, 2005 21:34 IST

Sania Mirza [Images] put aside the disappointment of losing in the first round at the French Open on her maiden appearance, saying she played a "decent match" given her injury circumstances.

The 18-year old, on the comeback trail after an eight-week lay-off following an ankle injury, went down 3-6, 3-6 to Gisela Dulko of Argentina after earning a direct entry into the main draw.

"It is okay, I knew it would be a tough match," said Mirza after the match.

"She [Dulko] is ranked 30th in the world, and being an Argentine knows her clay.

"I played a decent match, kept coming up with my shots, but she played a good match today."

The Indian, who trained with renowned coach Bob Brett in Italy [Images] before returning to the courts, said her prime goal throughout the past week had been regaining peak fitness.

"Of course, I was trying to beat her. But besides the winning and losing, my aim had been to try and get match fit.

"At this moment, I still have to know how my ankle feels," she said.

Mirza said she developed a tight lower abdomen while playing at the $170,000 WTA Tour event in Strasbourg last week but denied it affected her performance today.

She is entered in the doubles with Anna Chakvetadze [Images] of Russia [Images].

"Of course, I will give my best," she said.

After the French Open, Mirza would be playing in a grasscourt event in Birmingham in the lead-up to Wimbledon where she has a direct entry.

"[Am] Very excited about it [Wimbledon]; grass any day suits my game than clay," she added.



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