October 21, 2007	Sunday	Shawwal 8, 1428

MUMBAI, Oct 20: India’s Sania Mirza has opted to end her season early to recover from injury and prepare for next year.

“It’s been a long and hard year for me where I had to make comebacks from two serious injuries and surgery,” Sania told the Times of India on Saturday.

“I am mentally tired and my body is crying out for a break. I am looking forward to a rest and then a great season next year.”

The 20-year-old Sania had planned to end her season after playing in Austria and Canada in the coming weeks but a strained abductor muscle picked up in her first round loss at the Zurich Open on Monday has forced the world No 30 to revise her plans.

The Indian No 1 underwent surgery in March after suffering a ligament injury in her right knee at the Qatar Open.

She suffered a wrist injury after the US Open, where she reached the third round, and missed her home WTA event last month.—Reuters