Sania withdraws from Eastbourne event

Sania Mirza [ Images ] conceded her first round singles match of the qualifying event of the USD 600,000 Aegon International in Eastbourne after suffering a hip-strain.

The Indian ace was trailing 4-6 2-3 against Alexandra Dulgheru of Romania on Sunday when she opted out of the contest.

Sania though will play in the doubles event along with Chia-Jung Chuang [ Images ] of Chinese Taipei.

The unseeded Indo-Taipei duo will take on fourth seeded Australian pair of Samantha Stosur [ Images ] and Rennae Stubbs [ Images ].

Sania had made the singles and doubles semifinals of the Aegon Classic last week and probably continued tennis througout the week combined with long travel from Birmingham to Eastbourne took a toll on her.

In the men's event Leander Paes [ Images ] and his Czech partner Lukas Dlouhy [ Images ] have been given the top billing and they will open their campaign against Polish pair of Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski.

Mahesh Bhupathi [ Images ] and Mark Knowles [ Images ], seeded second, will play their first round match against Stephen Huss of Australia [ Images ] and local Ross Hutchins.