Sania Mirza lost out to Daniela Hantuchova at the Pacific Open, Indian Wells today.Hantuchova held off a strong fightback by her opponent to wrap up victory in one hour, 55 minutes and set up a quarter-final with Sharapova.
“I thought it was a great match,” the fifth-seeded Slovakian told reporters.
“Sania is a great hitter and I was expecting a really tough one today. Just being able to be in the quarters without losing a set feels really great.
GOOD SIGNS
“I feel like I’m hitting the ball well again,” added the 24-year-old, who claimed her first WTA career title at Indian Wells in 2002.
“I’m doing it the same way as last year so those two are pretty good signs. We’ll see what’s going to happen.”
Hantuchova, who beat Kuznetsova in last year’s final, broke Mirza in the second and fourth games to storm through the opening set in 39 minutes.
After trading an early service break in the second set, the elegant Slovakian broke again in the 11th game, when her opponent double-faulted, to lead 6-5.
Although Hantuchova then lost her own serve, she clinched the tiebreak 7-4, sealing victory with a crunching backhand down the line.
