Top seeds Sania Mirza and Ivan Dodig have been knocked out of the 2016 Australian Open after losing to fifth seeds Elena Vesnina and Bruno Soares in the semi-finals of the mixed doubles competition on Friday. The fifth seeds looked in cracking form as they defeated the top seeds in straight sets, with the score reading 7-5 and 7-6 (7-4).
The first set was mighty close with both teams giving their all to win the first set, but the pairing of Vesnina and Soares with their impressive winners looked a solid pair and clinched the set. There was not much to choose between the two teams in the first set.
The story of the second set also drew a similar picture with the pair fighting it out for each and every point, which was fun for the viewers. However, the major difference between the pair, if any, seems to have been the number of winners, which they struck on the court.
Vesnina and Soares hit 38 winners compared to Sania and Dodig's 28 winners. However, the top seeds were decent while serving with eight aces and two double faults compared to Vesnina and Soares two aces and five double faults.
Despite the top seeds possessing a good service game, Vesnina and Soares proved to be too good as they clinched a spot in the finals -- to be played on Sunday. Vesina and Soares will face the unseeded pairing of Horia Tecau and Coco Vandeweghe for the title.
This loss must have come as a huge disappointment for Sania, who had defeated the popular pairing of Leander Paes and Martina Hingis earlier in the competition. Sania, who would have loved to clinch the mixed doubles title on Sunday as he had already won the the women's doubles title earlier in the day, must have been a tired person now after giving her best in both the matches.
