Sunitha Rao remained the lone Indian hope in the $ 15,000 ITF women's tennis event by advancing to the quarterfinal after compatriot Sanaa Bhambri bowed out in the second round in Greater Noida on Wednesday.

Second seed Sunitha had little trouble in disposing off Serbian Teodora Mircic 6-2, 6-2 in her second round match.

In contrast, Sanaa put up a good fight but ultimately lost the encounter 5-7, 4-6 to Vlada Ekshibarova at Jaypee Sports Complex.

Sunitha now has a chance to improve on her quarterfinal appearance, which she made at the Delhi event.

The Indian now face off with against seventh seed Sandy Gumulya of Indonesia, who beat Chinese Sheng-Nan Sun 6-4 6-2 in her second round match.