Sydney:Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna scored contrasting victories with their respective partners to storm into the semifinals of the Apia International, here on Wednesday.
Sania and her American partner Bethanie-Mattek Sands shocked second seeds Martina Hingis and Flavia Penneta 6-3 6-3 in the quarterfinals of the USD 731,000 WTA event.
Sania had to pair with the American since her regular partner Su-Wei Hsieh was playing singles qualifiers at the Australian Open and the decision to again join forces with her former partner Mattek-Sands has proved spot on since Sania has succeeded to reach the semifinals in Sydney for the first time. The strong winds at this venue have always troubled Sania’s game, which hinges more on timing and rhythm, but thanks to her better fitness and experience of countering such conditions she is doing well here.
It was an indifferent start for Sania and her partner as they trailed 1-3 following an early break, but they went on to win the next eight games in a row to turn the tables on the team of the two former world number ones.Sania has won four WTA doubles titles with Mattek-Sands before.(PTI)
