Sania, Shikha put India in semis

Sania Mirza and Shikha Uberoi chalked out facile victories to enable India overpower Thailand 2-1 and storm into the semi-finals of the women's tennis team competition in the Asian Games.

The Indian women, in the process, made amends for their male counterparts' shocking exit from the team event on Monday by getting past the first hurdle.

India stated on a winning note when Shikha Uberoi outlasted Suchanun Viratrasert 6-3, 6-4 in 100 minutes. She did have a momentary lapse of concentration in the second set but recovered in time to win the tie.

All eyes were then on Sania, ranked 67th in the world, and the Hyderabadi girl consolidated the position by accounting for Tamarine Tanasugarn with a facile 6-3, 6-3 win in 77 minutes.

Sania displayed an aggressive brand of tennis and never gave much opportunity to her rival to come close to the net.

Having taken a winning 2-0 lead, the Indians lost the inconsequential doubles game, Ankita Bhambri and Isha Lakhani going down to Suchanun Viratprasert and Motinee Tangphong 4-6, 3-6 in a match that lasted 96 minutes.