Sania Mirza: The game-changing milestones of a glittering career

Sania Mirza walked into the sunset of her career when she and Madison Keys lost in the first round of the Dubai Duty Free Championship on Tuesday. Here are some of the game-changing milestones of Sania's glittering international career:BAPTISM BY FIRE: AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2005The 2004 season saw Sania win six ITF singles titles and her first WTA doubles title at the Hyderabad Open. Sania was a rising star going into her maiden Grand Slam – the 2005 Australian Open.

A wild card entry, Sania upset Australia’s Cindy Watson and Hungary’s Petra Mandula to set up a third round clash with Serena Williams, then a six-time Grand Slam winner. Sania lost the first set 6-1 but put up a gritty display in the second. Though Sania lost the second set 6-4, the 18-year-old Indian served notice.

FIRST BIG SCALP: DUBAI OPEN 2005 QFSania’s win over Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova at the Dubai Open confirmed that her Australian Open show was not a fluke. Playing the reigning US Open champion and then world No. 7 Svetlana Kuznetsova in the quarterfinal, Sania trailed 4-0 and was on the verge of retiring due to an ankle injury. But in a sensational comeback, Sania won the next six games and the set. She won the second 6-2 for a huge upset.

Read AlsoSania Mirza: The original torchbearer

The arrival of new talent is usually greeted with much mirth and cynicism in Indian circles but there was little of that in Sania's case. Instead, the sporting circles were excited about a talented girl who would go on to leave an indelible mark on tennis courts the world over.

STEELY RESOLVE: US OPEN 2014Sania Mirza’s first Grand Slam win was in 2009, the Australian Open mixed doubles title with Mahesh Bhupathi. The duo also claimed the French Open mixed doubles