Sania in Aegon Classic pre-quarters

BIRMINGHAM: Sania Mirza overcame a stiff challenge from British number one Anne Keothavong 6-1, 7-6 (5) to advance to the pre-quarterfinals of the Aegon Classic tennis here Wednesday.

The unseeded Indian star, who has fallen to 98th in the world rankings from a career-best 27 two years ago, showed no signs of a career-threateneing wrist injury as she battled past 11th seeded Keothavong in the run-up to Wimbledon that begins June 22.

Sania, 22, raced through the first set breaking Keothavong thrice.

The 25-year-old Briton fought back in the second set and seemed poised to level at 5-2.

But Sania successfully defended nine break points that included two set points to enforce a tie-break, which she held her nerve to win closely.

Sania can next run into another Briton, Elena Baltacha.