Sania advances in Cincinnati qualifiers, Somdev bows out

CINCINNATI (Ohio): India's Sania Mirza is one win from qualifying for the main draw of the Western and Southern tennis qualifying tournament after beating her one-time doubles partner Vania King in three gruelling sets whereas her compatriot Somdev Devvarman was surprisingly beaten by Turkey's Marsel Ilhan in straight sets.



In a closely contested match on the Centre Court, Sania, the No. 13 seed, edged King 7-6(4), 2-6, 7-6(5) while Somdev, ranked 65th, went down to lower-ranked Ilhan 4-6, 6-7(3) Saturday. The Indian had beaten Ilhan in straight sets to win the 2010 Izmir Cup Challenger in their only meeting on the circuit.

Sania next plays American Alexa Glatch, ranked 86 below her at 151, who put out

Frenchwoman Mathilde Johansson 7-5, 6-1 in another first round tie.