Mirza reaches quarter-finals

Mirza first player into final eight in Osaka

By Rachel Griffiths   Last updated: 14th October 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Mirza reaches quarter-finals

Mirza: Through to quarter-finals

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Indian Sania Mirza defeated Viktoriya Kutuzova in straight sets 6-4 6-3 to become the first player to reach the quarter-finals of the HP Open in Japan.

The 22-year-old, ranked 61st in the world, took advantage of a series of double faults from Ukrainian Kutuzova to secure her place in the last eight in Osaka.

Mirza, who won the Australian Open mixed doubles with Mahesh Bhupathi this year, will now face the 2006 champion and world number 12 Marion Bartoli of France.

Second seed Bartoli, who is fighting for a place in the season-ending championships in Doha, pummelled Japanese wild card entry Kurumi Nara 6-1 6-1 in only 61 minutes.

In other second round action, fourth seed Francesca Schiavone of Italy claimed an unconvincing 6-3 0-6 6-3 win over Taiwan's Chan Yung-jan.

Seventh seed Hungarian Melinda Czink hit seven aces and seven double faults during her clash against American Vania King before coming out on top 6-4 6-2.