Pacific Life Open : Hantuchova Defeats Sania

Sania is beaten by twice champion and holder Daniela Hantuchova by 6-1 7-6 on Tuesday at Indian Wells, California. The fifth-seeded Slovakian held off a strong fight back by her opponent to wrap up victory in one hour, 55 minutes and set up a possible quarter-final with 2006 winner Maria Sharapova.

Hantuchova, who beat Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova in last year's final at Indian Wells, broke Mirza in the second and fourth games to storm through the opening set in 39 minutes.

After trading an early service break in the second set, Daniela broke again in the 11th game, when Sania double faulted, to lead 6-5. Although Hantuchova then lost her own serve, she clinched the tie-break 7-4, sealing victory with a crunching backhand down the line.