Only three seeded players survive for day-three's challenge

Bangalore, Feb 15 (UNI) With the exit of five seeded players in two days, just three seeded players, including top seed Mara Santangelo of Italy and Indian title favourite Sania Mirza, seeded second, have survived to continue their challenge on day three in the Sony Ericssion International WTA tennis tournament being played at KSLTA stadium here.

Fourth seed Jelena Kostanic was the other seeded player left in the fray.

In the late night match that lasted for more than two hours, unseeded Yaroslava Shvedova of Russia overcame Tamarine Tanasugarm of Thailand 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 in a second round clash to enter the quarterfinals.

In the second round matches to be played today, Sania meet unseeded Bulgarian Tatiana Poutcheck, while Mara faces Akgul Amanmuradova of Uzbekisthan.

Shvedova, who had defeated Indian wild card entrant Shikha Uberoi in the first round, won the first set without much difficulty, but she conceded the second only to bounce back and win the decider.

Tamarine, who had defeated qualifier Chan Chin Wei in the first round could not stand accurate backhand strokes by Shvedova.

The Second day of the Main Draw saw exit of Third Seed Vasilisa Bardina of Russia, Alberta Brianti of Italy besides seventh seed tamarine. Chan Yung Jan of Taipie and fifth seeded Yullana Fedak were already out of race in the first round itself.

UNI