Sania Mirza in last 16

Up-and-coming Indian tennis prodigy Sania Mirza advanced to the pre-quarter-finals in the $10,000 Union Cement ITF/PHI women's circuit tournament, defeating Vityaviroj Thassa of Thailand 6-0, 2-6, 7-6(7-4) at Manila, the Philippines, on Wednesday.

Sania, who had earlier won two titles from the previous legs of the tournament, won the first set in just 15 minutes, but the elbow pain, which affected her play in the final last week, surfaced again and she lost the second set 2-6.

In the decider she was up 4-1 but the Thai girl did well to level the score at 4-4. Sania managed to surge ahead at 5-4, but Thassa fought back and raced ahead 6-5.

And just when it looked curtains for the Hyderabad lass, she won the 12th game and took the set into the tie-breaker, which, with some good attacking play, won at 7-4.

Sania will meet Kim Kilsdonk in the pre-quarter-finals.

Another Indian, Sonal Phadke went down to Kim Kilsdonk in three sets.

The doubles first round will be held tomorrow, with Sania partnering Radhika Tulpule.