Venkataraman sisters upset

On a day of upsets, the Venkataraman sisters - Archana and Arthi - crashed out of the ITF women's Satellite Championship in Bangalore on Wednesday.

Sweden's unseeded Nina Wennerstrom got the better of an off-colour Archana, winner of the first leg held in Chennai, 6-3 7-5 in a two-hour duel to storm into the quarter-finals at the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association Courts.

Arthi's performance was no better as compatriot Liza Pereira demolished her 6-1 6-2 in just 52 minutes.

Fifth seeded Geeta Manohar also bowed out of contention, crushed by Radhika Mandke 6-1 6-3. But there were no hiccups for top seeded Sonal Phadke, seventh seeded Sheetal Gautham and eighth seeded Nanditha Chandrashekhar.

Sonal was in her elements on her way to an easy 6-2 6-2 win over Vishnu Pretham Mahalingam. Sheetal won against Marutha Devi 6-1 0-6 6-0, while Nanditha also lost the second set before defeating Lata Ashudani 6-3 2-6 6-3 to reach the last eight.

In doubles, third seeded Geeta Manohar and Tara Kanbargimath defeated Marutha Devi and Alice Joy 6-3 6-4 to enter the semi-finals.