Doubles defeat puts Sania out of Aus Open

Sania Mirza's campaign in the Australian Open ended on Wednesday when she and her Czech partner Renata Voracova crashed out of the women's doubles, losing in straight sets to top seeds Gisela Dulko and Flavia Pennetta in the opening round in Melbourne.

Argentina's Dulko, who is the World No 1 doubles players and her World No 2 Italian partner Pennetta, outplayed the Indo-Czech duo, winning the contest 6-4, 6-1 in just over 60 minutes.

The 24-year-old Sania, who was beaten by Justine Henin 5-7, 6-3 in the opening round of the women's singles on Monday, and Voracova fought hard in the first set, but the second turned out to be a dampener as the Indo-Czech pair were outplayed.

Sania, who won the mixed doubles title at the Open with Mahesh Bhupathi in 2009 -- her only Grand Slam triumph -- is not taking part in the event this time around.

Earlier in the day, Caroline Wozniacki  and Henin barely broke sweat as they swept into the third round of the singles.

Henin, who has won seven majors including the 2004 title here, was shaking hands with the umpire on Rod Laver Arena moments later after putting Briton Elena Baltacha to the sword 6-1, 6-3.