Sania in East West Bank doubles pre-quarters

LOS ANGELES: Sania Mirza, who is making waves through her singles performances, has launched her doubles campaign also on a winning note, advancing to the pre-quarterfinals of the USD 600,000 East West Bank Classic women's tennis tournament.

Sania and her American partner Bethanie Mattek beat Slovakian-Dutch pair of Janette Husarova and Michaella Krajicek 6-3 2-6 11-9 in the first round of the WTA Tier II hard court tournament, on Wednesday.

The Indo-US duo next faces second seeded pair of Czech Kveta Peschke and Australian Rennae Stubbs.

Sania, who beat former number one and currently ranked 12th Swiss player Martina Hingis in her singles second round match, will next meet French Virginie Razzano in the pre-quarterfinals match later on Thursday.

Razzano beat 10th seed Shahar Peer of Israel 6-1 4-6 7-6 (6) in the second round to set the match-up against Sania.

If Sania manages a win against Razzano, her possible opponent in the last eight stage match would be fourth seed Russian Nadia Petrova, who will play Katarina Srebotnik of Slovania in another pre-quarters clash.