Sania Mirza put up a gallant fight before going down in the first round of the Nasdaq 100 Open WTA Tour event in Florida.

Sania lost 7-6 (8/6), 1-6, 7-6 (10/8) to Anna Tatashvili of Georgia in Key Biscayne on Thursday night.

Earlier in the week, the Indian tennis sensation was named the 'Newcomer of the Year' by the WTA for her showing last year, which saw her winning the Hyderabad Open and ending the year ranked a career-best 31.