Dubai Tennis Championship: Sania Mirza and Lucie Hradecka losses in semis

Indian tennis sensation Sania Mirza and her Czech partner Lucie Hradecka squandered a golden opportunity by losing the Dubai Tennis Championship doubles semi-final. Mirza and Hradecka succumbed (6-2, 2-6, 7-10) against Lyudmyla Kichenok and Jelena Ostapenko on Friday night after commanding the first set.

Read more: Dubai Tennis Championships 2022: Sania Mirza and Lucie Hradecka advances to quarterfinals

By weakening them early, the Indo-Czech duo placed pressure on their adversaries. Later in the match, Mirza and Hradecka defied the onslaught and saved 11 breakpoints to lead the way.

However, in the second set, Ostapenko and Kichenok drew equal, sending the game to a super-tiebreaker. In the decider, Mirza and Hradecka were unable to mount a strong challenge, as Ostapenko and Kichenok maintained their lead. As a result, they were able to reserve their spots in the Dubai Tennis championship finals.

Mirza, a six-time Grand Slam champion, and Lucie Hradecka were wildcards in the WTA 500 event. In the round of 16, the pair overcame Chan Hao-ching and world No. 12 Demi Schuurs. Afterwards, in the quarter-finals, Mirza and Hradecka defeated Shuko Aoyama of Japan and Aleksandra Krunic of Serbia in straight sets. Furthermore, the duo had a good run at the event.

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Mirza announced her retirement from the sport at the end of the 2022 season earlier this month. However, she will compete in the Doha Open beginning on February 25.

Also, in the Dubai Tennis Championships doubles final on Saturday, Ostapenko and Kichenok will encounter second seeds Elise Mertens and Veronika Kudermetova.