Sania faulters in doubles, through in mixed doubles

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New York, Sep 4: It turned out to be a day of mixed fortune for Sania Mirza in the US Open here, as she registered her last eight berth in the doubles, but faltered in the mixed doubles' quarters partnering Mahesh Bhupathi.

In a thrilling third round encounter, the 20-year-old Hyderabadi and her American partner Bethanie Mattek shocked second seeds Lisa Raymond of the US and Samantha Stosur of Australia 2-6, 7-5, 7-5.

After surrendering the first set tamely, the 16th seed Indo-American duo came back fighting to pocket the next two sets an a last eight berth in a match that lasted just over two hours.

They will now face fifth seed Chinese Taipei pair of Yung-Jan Chan and Chia-Jung Chuang, who overcame the challenge of ninth seeds Ananbel Medina Garrigues and Virginia Ruano Pascual of Spain 6-4, 6-2, in the next round.

Meanwhile in the mixed doubles, the much talked about duo of Sania and Mahesh Bhupathi failed to make it to the the semis after they were outplayed by all Belarusian combination of Victoria Azarenka and Max Mirnyi 4-6, 1-6.

However, veteran Leander Paes brought a good news for Indian tennis fans as he and Meghann Shaughnessy of the US made it to the last four phase of the mixed event with an easy 6-3, 6-4 victory over all American pair of Ashley Harkleroad and Justin Gimelstob.

The unseeded Indo-American pair will be up against Liezel Huber of the US and Jamie Murray of Great Britain in the semi-final.

Reuters>