Dubai // When Daniela Hantuchova arrived in Dubai on Monday, she was on a high having just won her first tournament in three years the day before, the Thailand Open in Pattaya City.
Playing the next day, she looked exhausted and needed a medical time-out during her 6-1, 6-3 loss to Russia's Anna Chakvetadze yesterday.
"I just came in yesterday," said the former world No 5. "I felt so tired. Felt like I didn't have much energy on the court. I know the tennis was not very pretty, but I was trying my best, trying to somehow get into the match. Physically it was just impossible."
Hantuchova looked well short of her physical best as she committed 30 unforced errors during the match.
Trailing 1-4 in the second set, she was forced to take a medical break, complaining of dizziness.
The Slovak returned to win the next two games, but Chakvetadze broke her for a third time in the set for a 5-3 lead and then served out for the match.
"I couldn't even keep track of the score at one point," Hantuchova said.
"I didn't know what the score is. It was kind of tough to be focused on the game.
"It's always very emotional when you win a tournament, especially as there was no time to rest or anything.
"We went straight to the airport and flew all night. Yesterday [Monday] I was trying to recover, but [there was] not enough time.
"I was happy to win the tournament there, but of course I wanted to do well here as well.
"So yes, I'm disappointed, but still I'm so happy over last week. Probably the positive emotions are much more important right now.
"I just need to rest a few days and try to get back my energy and get ready for Doha."