Sania out of J P Morgan

Los Angeles:

Sania Mirza has lost in the first round of the JP Morgan Chase Open in Los Angeles. Mirza lost 3-6, 6-1, 4-6 to Iveta Benesova of the Czech Republic. Benesova is ranked three places below Sania at 51. Sania had won her first WTA singles title in Hyderabad in February this year. She was forced to pull out of next week's Rogers Cup in Toronto on Tuesday because of a minor stomach injury and to get some rest before the last grand slam of the year, the US Open that starts later this month.