Saturday, September 3 2005 10:06 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New York: Tennis sensation Sania Mirza registered her best Grand Slam performance as she stormed her way into the women's singles fourth round of the US Open here yesterday (Sept 2, 2005).

Sania, who became the first Indian woman to reach the third round of a tennis major at the Australian Open early this year, moved into the round of 16 with a crushing 7-6 (7/4) 6-4 victory over Marion Bartoli of France at the Arsmstrong Stadium.

The Hyderabadi now faces the prospects of a thrilling encounter against Russian top seed Maria Sharapova in what would be an all-18 clash.

The 2003 Wimbledon junior doubles champion overcame a poor start when she was broken in her very first serving game.

There was a minor lapse in concentration after Bartoli took a medical timeout with scores level at 5-5 but Sania soon stamped her class in the tie-breaker which she dominated with rousing winners both on serve and while returning.

Sania's powerful groundstrokes proved too hot to handle for the 19-year old Bartoli whose defensive tactics backfired against an aggressive opponent.

It was the Indian who dictated each point. There were too many unforced errors from the Hyderabadi, 49 of them compared to 14 by the French woman.

But she also had 45 winners to four from Bartoli. The second set saw Sania completely outclass her opponent.

Bartoli caught Sania off guard in the first game to force four breakpoints and converted the last by attacking the latter's second serve.

But Sania had little difficulty in recovering from the set back. A feather touch drop shot from Sania followed by a double fault left Bartoli with triple breakpoints, and the Indian converted the first with a rousing forehand winner.

Sania then saved three breakpoints in the next game to hold on to the advantage.

Time was fast running out for Bartoli as Sania tightened the screws. Her serves became stronger, marked by two aces in the seventh game.

Serving to stay in the match, Bartoli was greeted with a stunning backhand cross-court winner.

The French teenager then found the net. Soon, Sania rifled a backhand service return for two match points.

Bartoli saved the first before a forehand winner sealed the issue in favour of the Indian.