Stanford, July 28:

Sania Mirza of India beat Swiss fourth-seeded Patty Schnyder, 7-6 (2), 6-1 in the quarter-finals of the Bank of the West Classic.

Schnyder was in charge early on but then seemed to fall apart after losing a critical challenge late in the first set. Mirza fought back from a 5-2 deficit and said the crowd was a factor in her comeback. Mirza broke Schnyder at 5-3 and felt that was the turning point.

Daniela Hantuchova celebrated her return to the world top-10 rankings by ending Belarusian qualifier Olgo Govortsova’s surprising run in the quarter-finals.

Third-seeded Hantuchova won 7-5, 6-3. Hantuchova next faces top-seeded Russian Anna Chakvetadze, who advanced following her 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 win over seventh-seeded Katarina Srebotnik of Slovenia.

Eighth-seeded Sybille Bammer of Austria also won her quarter-final match when she beat wild card Lilia Osterloh of the United States 6-2, 6-1.

Roddick in semis

INDIANAPOLIS: Canada’s Frank Dancevic reached

his first ATP semi-final by rallying to defeat Russian Igor Kunitsyn 6-4, 7-6 (3) in the Indianapolis Championships. Dancevic will meet top-seeded Andy Roddick, who Roddick eliminated No 6 Lee Hyung-taik of South Korea 6-3, 6-7 (7), 6-1.