Mirza Pops Top-seeded Zvonareva at WTA Tokyo

Posted on October 8, 2005

India's top cat Sania Mirza reinforced her up-and-coming status Friday at the Japan Open in Tokyo, with the No. 8 seed overcoming a set deficit to stun top-seeded Russian Vera Zvonareva 5-7, 6-2, 6-4.

"I had my chances in the first set, and it could've been straight sets, but she played so well when it counted," said Mirza after reaching her third semifinal of the year. "I think I played one of my best matches. She's the No.1 seed, and I'm happy that I was able to play my game."

Mirza advances into the final four where she will face another higher-seeded foe in No. 3 Tatiana “Hot Shorts” Golovin who also came from a set down to defeat the crowd-supported No. 5 seed, Japan's Ai Sugiyama 3-6, 6-2, 6-2.

Other players into the semis were No. 2-seeded 16-year-old Nicole “In” Vaidisova (d. (Q) Arvidsson from a set down) and No. 4-seeded Russian Maria Kirilenko (d. Craybas in three) which makes for a rare all-teen semifinal with plenty of the photographers courtside.

Lining up for the Saturday semis are (4) Kirilenko vs. (2) Vaidisova, and (8) Mirza vs. (3) Golovin.