Sania romps into semis of Durban event

Top seed Sania Mirza breezed into the semi-finals of the girls' singles and doubles in the KawZulu Natal Junior ITF (grade 1) Tournament in Durban, South Africa, on Thursday.

Sania needed only 80 minutes to beat South Africa's under-16 national champion Tarryn Terblancme 6-1, 6-4.

Sania, with her powerful first serve, outplayed Tarryn in the first set 6-1, but in the second, the South African put up some resistance before the Indian, who hails from the city of Hyderabad, proceded to take the set and match at 6-4.

Earlier, in the second round, Sania had defeated Sandri Klue, another South African, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1.

Sania will take on fourth seed Chani Scheepers of South Africa in the semis.

Later on Thursday, Sania combining with Sasha Abraham, played an attacking game to beat Sandra Kleu and Sinmiri Ven Rooyen of South Africa 7-5, 7-5 and move into the semi-finals of the doubles section.

The victory in the quarter-finals is the first by an Indian at a grade-1 tournament. It will take Sania up in the ITF rankings to around 40 from the current 47 and ensure a direct entry into the US Open girls' main draw.

Meanwhile, Sunil Kumar Sipaeya lost in the quarter-finals of the Philadelphia grade-3 ITF junior grasscourt event being played at the Philadelphia Cricket Club.

Seeded second, Sipaeya was upset by tenth seed James Pade of the United States 4-6, 1-6.

Ninth seed Stephen Amritraj of the United States moved into the semi-finals, defeating Raian Luchici of Romania 7-6(3), 6-4. He now will face 14th seed Jacob Olsen of New Zealand. This is one of his best shows in the junior category.

In the doubles, Sunil Kumar and Amanjot Singh -- seeded third, moved into the semi-finals defeating sixth seed American pair of Jarrett Chirico and Wayne Odesnik 6-3, 6-2.

The duo now will face second seeds K C Corkery of the United States and Jacob Olsen of New Zealand in the semis.

In the other semi-final, top seed American pair of Stephen Amritraj and Jonathan Stokke will face the fifth seeded American pair of Ryler De Heart and James Pade.

Earlier report:
Sunil Kumar in quarters of Philadelphia event