Sania reaches doubles quarters at Los Angeles

Los Angeles, Aug 9 (UNI) Sania Mirza and her American partner Bethanie Mattek survived some anxious moments before downing the Slovak-Dutch pair of Janette Husarova and Michaella Krajicek in their opening round match to advance to the doubles quarterfinals at the 600,000 dollar Los Angeles Classic here.

The Indo-US combine, who had triumphed at the Cincinnati Open last month, had to fight off a stiff resistance from Husarova-Krajicek duo before winning 6-3, 2-6, 11-9 on match tie-breaker.

In the quarterfinals, Sania-Mattek will take on Kveta Peschke of Czech Republic and Rannae Stubbs of Australia, who won their opening round match against Russo-Serb combination of Nadia Petrova and Jelena Jankovic 6-4, 6-4.

After her thrilling but taxing three-set win over 'swiss miss' Martina Hingis in the singles on Tuesday (Wednesday IST), Sania was fresh as ever for her doubles assignment.

Along with Mattek, she looked imperious as the duo race away with a set lead in no time.

However, Husarova-Krajicek got their acts together and bounced back equally hard with a 6-2 win in the second set to force a match tie-breaker.

Sania-Mattek held their nerves and serves in the tie-breaker to win the match for a last-eight berth.

Meanwhile in singles pre-quarters, Sania Mirza will take on Frenchwoman Virginie Razzano who defeated 10th seed Israeli Shahar Peer 6-1, 4-6, 7-6 in a second round match.

Top seed Maria Sharapova also made it into the third round after Greece's Eleni Daniilidou left the court in tears, retired with breathing difficulties.

Sharapova was leading the match 7-6 (5), 3-1 when Dandiilidou was forced to quit.

The Greek lass showed tremendous heart nonetheless and was infact close to win the first set before the Russian hit back to take the lead.

Sharapova takes on 18-year-old Dutch Michaella Krajicek, half sister of fomer Wimbledon champion Richard Krajicek, in the pre-quarterfinals.

French Open finalist and third seed Ana Ivanovic of Serbia thrashed American Ashley Harkleroad 6-4 6-2, while defending champion Elena Dementieva cruised to the last-16 with a facile 6-2, 6-0 win over American teenager Madison Brengle.

UNI