The Hindu : Sport / Tennis : Indian women cruise into semifinals

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Wednesday, Dec 06, 2006
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Sport - Tennis

Indian women cruise into semifinals

Special Correspondent

DOHA: Sania Mirza and Shikha Uberoi proved too good for Thailand, as India stormed into the semifinals of the women's event in the 15th Asian Games at the Khalifa Tennis Complex here on Tuesday.

After Shikha had given a rousing start by bouncing back from a 1-3 deficit to beat Suchanan Viratprasert in straight sets, Sania was in control against Tamarine Tanasugarn, moving briskly and smacking winners all over the court much to the delight of the huge crowd of Indian supporters.

The victory has ensured a medal for the Indian women. India now takes on the top-seeded China and it will be interesting to see how well Sania and Shikha manage to check the formidable Chinese who have world class singles and doubles players.

Perfect start

Sania started well against Tanasugarn, a former top-20 singles and doubles player, breaking her opponent in the very first game. However, the Indian ran into trouble with her own serve.

Sania was broken in the sixth game after taking a 4-1 lead, but regained her confidence by firing a few aces. Her groundstrokes had so much sting, depth and variety that even a consistent player like Tanasugarn was unable to keep pace for long.

Shikha was all exuberance and energy, as she made some unbelievable retrieves and spanked a few rousing winners to set the tempo for the evening.

With the doubles match rendered inconsequential, India fielded Ankita Bhambri and Isha Lakhani, preserving Sania and Shikha for the tough battle ahead against the Chinese.

The results (quarterfinals): India beat Thailand (Shikha Uberoi bt Suchanan Viratprasert 6-3, 6-4; Sania Mirza bt Tamarine Tanasugarn 6-3, 6-3).

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