Sania Mirza's preparations for the Wimbledon Tennis Championships suffered a setback when she lost 6-7(7-9), 6-2, 4-6 to Iveta Benesova of the Czech Republic in the first round of the US $175,000 Ordina Open at 's-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands, on Sunday.
The 19-year old Hyderabadi, who jumped three places to 38 in world rankings after reaching the third round of DFS Classic in Birmingham last week.
The Indian ace was at the receiving end of some dubious umpiring. Leading 4-2 in the first set tie-break, Sania served an ace that was belatedly turned into a "fault" by the chair and the point awarded to Benesova.
The chair umpire overruled another point against Sania when she hit a clear winner on the far side of the court on set point in the same tie-break.
The Indian bounced back to wrap up the second set before conceding the next set and match.
Meanwhile, Sania will be partnering Holland's Michaella Krajicek in the women's doubles at the Wimbledon tournament, beginning next week.