Sania, Yuki lose in first round

Sania Mirza fell at the first hurdle, losing to France's Mathilde Johansson in the first round of the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami on Wednesday.

The Indian ace, who received a wild card after dropping 13 places to be ranked 100 earlier this week, lost 6-1, 6-7(2), 6-7(8).

The match had 19 service breaks and lasted two hours and 22 minutes.

Johansson will meet second seeded Russian Dinara Safina next.

World No 1 junior Yuki Bhambri also found himself on the losing side in the men's event, beaten by world No 73 Diego Junqueira of Argentina.

The 16-year-old junior Australian Open champion lost 4-6, 3-6.