Mirza advances to Pattaya Open semis
BANGKOK, Thailand -- India's Sania Mirza beat Italy's Maria Santangelo 6-4, 7-6(4) on Friday to reach the semifinals of the Pattaya Women's Open.
The fifth-seeded Mirza came back from a 5-3 deficit in both sets to overpower her third-seeded opponent.
China's Peng Shuai, the No. 4 seed, used strong groundstrokes to defeat Israel's Tzipi Obziler 6-3, 6-2.
"I hit the balls hard and tried to make her run," said Peng, who was slowed by a cough and cold to earn her first semifinal berth of the year.
Sixth-seeded Gisela Dulko of Argentina defeated Nicole Pratt of Australia 6-2, 6-3 to reach her first tour semifinals in two years.
Left-handed Sybille Bammer of Austria returned to the Pattaya semis for a second straight year after taking nearly three hours to beat Martina Sucha of Slovakia 3-6, 6-3, 6-3.
"It was a very long match," said Bammer, who ended a losing streak to the Slovak. "I'm so happy, because I lost to her five times."
In the semifinals, Mirza meets Peng, and Dulko plays Bammer.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
