Dubai, Feb 21 (IANS) Indian tennis star Sania Mirza on Tuesday ended her magnificent 20-year-long career with a defeat in the first round of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, here.
The 36-year-old India legend lost in straight sets along with American partner Madison Keys in women's doubles tie. The pair went 4-6 0-6 down to Russian pair of Veronika Kudermetova and Liudmila Samsonova in one hour long battle.
A mother to 4-year-old boy Izhaan, Mirza, who had turned pro back in 2003, ended her glorious career with six Grand Slam trophies.
Three of those came in women's doubles with Swiss great Martina Hingis. The other three were in mixed doubles, two of which were with compatriot Mahesh Bhupathi - 2009 Australian Open and 2012 French Open - while the other one was a US Open trophy with Bruno Soares.
Earlier last month, Sania was denied a fairytale ending to her Grand Slam career after she lost in the Australian Open mixed doubles final with Rohan Bopanna.
ADVT
Sports
Sania Mirza bids farewell to tennis after first round defeat at Dubai Duty Free Championships
MORE Sports ARTICLES
CWG 2018: India's Gold Rush Continues As Badminton, Table Tennis Teams Script Historic Wins
Among other success stories, Manish Kaushik and Gaurav Solanki entered the quarter-finals, while high jumper Tejaswin Shankar and sprinter Muhammed Anas entered the finals on a day mixed day for the athletics contingent.
CWG 2018: India's Gold Rush Continues As Badminton, Table Tennis Teams Script Historic Wins
Canadian 'Lifter Under Scrutiny At Commonwealth Games After Hit And Run Charge
Boady Santavy, a 20-year-old from Sarnia, Ont., is slated to compete Sunday in the 94-kilogram division.
Canadian 'Lifter Under Scrutiny At Commonwealth Games After Hit And Run Charge
#ThankYouSedins: Sedin Twins Get Amazing Tribute, Perfect Finish In Final Home Game
It couldn't have been scripted any better. Daniel and Henrik Sedin said goodbye to the hometown crowd with a farewell straight out of a movie.
#ThankYouSedins: Sedin Twins Get Amazing Tribute, Perfect Finish In Final Home Game
CWG: Lifters Mirabai Chanu, Gururaja Strike Medals; Gymnasts Delight, Women's Hockey Team Shocked
Mirabai, the reigning world champion, delivered a power-packed performance in the women's 48-kg category, leaving the competition far behind by setting Games and Commonwealth records in the snatch, clean and jerk as well as the total.
CWG: Lifters Mirabai Chanu, Gururaja Strike Medals; Gymnasts Delight, Women's Hockey Team Shocked
Review: South Asian Celebration night for Vancouver Canucks
Before the game started, the Canucks honoured the career of Robin Bawa, the first NHL player of South Asian descent.
Review: South Asian Celebration night for Vancouver Canucks
Hayley Wickenheiser brings WickFest to Surrey
Wickenheiser, to bring the The Canadian Tire Wickenheiser World Female Hockey Festival to Surrey on January 31 to Feb 3rd of 2019