Singles sorrow and Doubles' delight for Sania; Eyes top-20 spot now

Stanford, California, July 30 (UNI) Top-seeded Russian Anna Chakvetadze proved to be a thorn in the flesh again for the in-from Sania Mirza, as the Indian ace went down 6-3, 6-2 in the finals of the Bank of the West Classic here.

In the first few games, Sania got stuck into her higher-ranked opponent but the formidable Russian won three of the last four games of the first set and every one of the last four games of the second set to claim the fourth title of the year and the sixth of her career.

After knockick off three top-25 players in succession -- Tatiana Golovin, Patty Schnyder and Sybille Bammer, another upset win for Sania was very much on the cards this time around but an unruffled Chakvetadze maintained her composure to inflict a straight set drubbing to the same rival she had defeated in last week's Cincinnati semi-finals.

For the first time in over four years, the two singles finalists also went to battle in the doubles final, but this time the roles were reversed as the No.3-seeded team of Sania Mirza and Shahar Peer ousted unseeded duo Victoria Azarenka and Anna Chakvetadze in straight sets, 6-4, 7-6(5).

Sania now holds three Tour doubles titles this year (six overall), while Peer won her first of the year (her third overall).

The win propelled the stylish Hyderabadi lass to equal her highest-ever ranking of 31, climbing up four spots from 35 in the latest WTA rankings released today.

As for Chakvetadze, the Russian powerhouse' impressive run of form helped her gain one spot to a new career-high No.6.

Chakvetadze admitted that yesterday's win was a much more comprehensive affair against the same opponent than a three set battle in the semifinals of Cincinnati just over a week ago, which she won 6-2, 5-7, 6-3.

Sania enjoyed what was arguably her career-best week, beating two of the Top 20 for the first time in the same event (Tatiana Golovin and Patty Schnyder), and making her first final at the Tier II level or above.

''After I lost the first set she just dominated - hats off to her, she played her some great tennis this week,'' Sania said of Chakvetadze, who won a three-setter against an in-form Daniela Hantuchova in Saturday's semifinals.

After the match, an elated Chakvetadze said ''I was trying to move Sania around the court and it worked well for me today.'' The Russian had nothing but praise for her final challenger.

''It's great for Sania; she's a great girl and has so much support,'' Chakvetadze said, adding ''She had a great week this week. In Cincinnati we had so many unforced errors and it wasn't good to watch. But we were both playing better here.'' The breakthrough week has again soared Sania's hopes of recahing the top-20 as she reached her first WTA Tour Tier II final.

''I believe in realistic goals,'' said a confident Sania, who won a lower grade WTA event in Hyderabad two years ago to become the first Indian woman title winner on the tour.

''From the beginning of my career, I could have said my aim was to be number one in the world and be the greatest player even, but I'm a practical person.

''That's why I have said that top 20 is my goal and I believe it. Before I was saying the end of next year, but it could be the end of this year, or by the end of the U.S. Open.'' MORE UNI