DOHA, Dec 7: Sania Mirza and Shikha Uberoi propelled India into the Asian Games women's tennis team final with a 2-0 victory over Uzbekistan on Wednesday.
Uberoi prevailed over Akgul Amanmuradova 6-7 (7), 6-4, 3-6 in a three-hour contest before Sania breezed past Iroda Tulyahanova 6-3, 6-0 to secure India's place in final against Taiwan.
India has never before won an Asian Games medal in the women's team tennis event.
Meanwhile, Taiwan beat Japan 2-0 in the second semifinal. Taiwan's Hsieh Su-wei rallied to down Akiko Morigami 3-6, 6-3, 6-0 and Chan Yung-jan overcame Aiko Nakamura 6-4, 7-5.
The Japanese men had more luck, advancing to the final against South Korea.
Japan had a 2-1 win over Thailand, whose star player Paradorn Srichaphan lost his match on Wednesday. Defending champion in the singles event, Paradorn later announced his withdrawal from the singles event due to his painful wrist injury.—AP
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