Indian challenge end in qualifying matches

Bangalore, Feb 11 (UNI) Spots in the main draw eluded the eleven Indians in the Sony Ericsson Bangalore Open Internatioal tennis even as Chin-Wei Chan of Chinse Taipei, Nudnia Luangnam of Thailand, Shengnan Sun of China and Yurika Sema of Japan won their final qualifying matches to make it to to knockout here today.

The tournament had been put off by a day to February 13 due to a state-wide shut off call given by agitators protesting the last week's final verdict of Cauvery River Water Dispute Tribunal.

Disappointingly none of the eleven Indians could make it to even the final qualifying round encounters.

In the absence of hot favourite Serena Williams, India's star Sania Mirza, who is the second seed, and top seed Mara Santangelo of Italy lead the challenge.

Results: Final qualifying round: Nudnida Luangman (Tha) bt Andreja Kelpac (Slo) 6-3, 7-5; Chin Wei Chan (TPE) bt Sandy Gumulya (Ina) 6-1, 6-3; Shengnan Sun (Chn) bt Amina Rakhim (Kaz) 6-1, 6-3 and Yurika Sema (Jpn) bt Jing Ren cHN) 6-2, 6-2.

UNI