Sania in pre-quarters, Paes in quarterfinals of Pacific Life Open

Indian Wells (California), Mar 17 (UNI) Tennis sensation Sania Mirza cruised past Shahar Peer of Israel to enter the singles pre-quarterfinal of the 2,100,000 dollar Pacific Life Open here.

Sania, who lost the first set in the tie-break, staged a brilliant come back to beat her former doubles partner 6-7 (7), 7-5, 6-3 in the third round match yesterday.

Sania, who is seeded 21 in singles in the Tier I event, will now face world number eight Slovak Daniela Hantuchova, who beat Chinese Jie Zhang 6-4, 6-2 in a third round match.

In the 3,589,000 dollar men's Masters Series Leander Paes and his Australian partner Paul Hanley warded off the challenge of David Nalbandian and Gullermo Canas to storm into the doubles quarterfinals being held at the same venue.

The Indo-Australian duo, who are seeded eight, beat the Argentine pair 7-5 2-6 10-5 in the second round.

Meanwhile, sixth seeded Mahesh Bhupathi and Mark Knowles of Bahamas won their opening encounter against the combine of German Christopher Kas and Dutch Rogier Wassen 6-3, 7-6 (3) to move into the second round.

UNI XC CS AB RK2002