Monday, May 16 2005 08:16 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Sania Mirza had a not-so-impressive return to the tennis court after an injury lay off, as she failed to qualify for the main draw of the $ 170,000 Strasbourg Open in France yesterday (May 15, 2005).

Sania won her first qualification match against Svenja Weidemann of Germany before losing in the next round to Julia Vakulenko of Ukraine in straight sets in the tournament, which is the last before the start of the French Open.

The Indian made short work of her German opponent 6-1, 6-1 before being subdued by Vakulenko 6-3, 6-3 on the clay courts at the Sport Center of Hautepierre in Strasbourg, according to information received in New Delhi.

The Indian played both the matches yesterday since no action was possible the day before due to heavy rains.

Sania would be getting 3.25 Women's Tennis Association (WTA) points besides $ 550 for making it to the second round of the WTA tier III category event.