Sania slays Kristina, to meet Morigami in quarterfinals

Sania Mirza claimed yet another higher ranked player when the Indian overcame Puerto Rican Kristina Brandi 7-6 (5) 7-5 in the second round of the 170,000 dollar Cincinnati Open in Ohio.

Currently ranked 70th, Sania faced stiff challenge from the 28-year-old Kristina who fought for each point even though it was the Indian who had the last laugh.

The first set saw both the players making unforced errors galore as it was stretched to tie-breaker, according to information received here. Sania improved her service at the right time and maintained her cool to win the tie-breaker to seize early initiative.

Trailing by a set, Brandi tried everything she could but that was not enough to stop the Hyderabadi girl as Sania hit powerful forehand winners at crucial points and took the game away from the Puerto Rican.

Sania, meanwhile, has a tough task ahead as she takes on an in-form Akiko Morigami of Japan in the quarterfinal.

Morigami stunned second seed Vera Zvonareva in the second round where she swept away the Russian 6-3, 6-2.

Sania, however, would be keen to repeat the history of this year's Wimbledon where she managed to beat the Japanese 6-3, 3-6, 8-6 to taste her first victory at the All England Lawn Tennis Club.