Sania Mirza powers Indian team to semi-finals

Doha, Dec 5 (UNI) Sania Mirza and Shikha Uberoi chalked out facile victories to enable India overpower Thailand 2-1 and keep themselves in a hunt for medal as they stormed into the semi-finals of the women's tennis team competition in the Asian Games here today.

The Indian women, in the process, made amends for their male counterparts' shocking exit from the team event yesterday by getting past the first hurdle.

India stated on a winning note when Shikha Uberoi outlasted Suchanun Viratrasert 6-3, 6-4 in 100 minutes to give her side a 1-0 lead.

Shikha did have a momentary lapse of concentration in the second set but recovered in time to win the tie.

All eyes were then on Sania, ranked 67th in the world, and the Hyderabadi girl then consolidated the position for her team by accounting for Tamarine Tanasugarn with a facile 6-3, 6-3 win in 77 minutes.

Sania displayed an aggressive brand of tennis and never gave much opportunities to her rival to come close to the net.

Having taken a winning 2-0 lead, the Indians lost the inconsequential doubles game with Ankita Bhambri and Isha Lakhani going down to Suchanun Viratprasert and Motinee Tangphong 4-6, 3-6 in a match which lasted 96 minutes.

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