Sania beats Srebotnik, sets up clash with Dementieva in San Diego

New Delhi, Aug 3 (UNI) Sania Mirza set up a tough third round clash with fourth seed Elena Dementieva after registering a straight set victory over Slovenian Katarina Srebotnik in the second round of the 1.3 million dollar WTA Tier I Acura Classic at San Diego, California.

The Indian teen beat Srebotnik 6-3, 7-6 in a close to one and a half hour match to move into the next level against the world number six Russian, who ousted her in the first round of the Wimbledon this year.

Sania started well against a tentative Srebotnik, who was struggling with her serve. The Indian was quick to take advantage of the Slovenian's follies and converted all three break points that came her way to push the world number 22 to back foot.

The Indian ace compeletely dominated the first set and hit 30 winners compared to Srebotnik's 19 to seize the initiatve.

The next set, however, proved to be quite a test for Sania as a resurgent Srebotnik clawed back into the match. The Slovenian, however, was once again let down by her serve as she committed four double faults.

Sania broke Srebotnik twice in the set but could not prevent the match from going into a tie-breaker in which the Indian held her nerves to seal the match in her favour.

The Hyderabadi teen has a busy day today as she will be playing in both her singles third round and doubles second round matches.

She is paired with South African Liezel Huber in the doubles competition of the tournament.

UNI PM SB VP1045