Sunitha Rao overcame a lethargic start to overwhelm Sandy Gumulya of Indonesia 2-6, 6-2, 6-1 in the quarterfinals of the ITF tennis tournament.

There was no lack of determination on her part but the 22-year-old Sunitha was a step too slow to start with and was a bit subdued in her strokeplay. Having lost to the Indonesian girl in the Fed Cup in Bangkok recently, Sunitha was understandably edgy.

However, the US-based Indian stepped up the pace and precision of her strokes to change the complexion of the contest. Equally, Gumulya had the misfortune of being stung by a wasp in the sixth game of the second set. She required medical attention and was not the same force in the rest of the match, managing to win only one of the next 10 games.

After a demoralising start — she found herself struggling at 0-5 in no time — it was an encouraging finish for Sunitha.

Results: Singles (quarterfinals): Anastasija Sevastova (Lat) bt Montinee Tangphong (Tha) 6-1, 6-4; Vlada Ekshibarova (Uzb) bt Aniko Kapros (Hun) 6-3, 2-1 (retired); Margit Ruutel (Est) bt Varatchaya Wongteanchai (Tha) 6-4, 6-1; Sunitha Rao bt Sandy Gumulya (Ina) 2-6, 6-2, 6-1.

Doubles (semifinals): Kelly Anderson & Chanelle Scheepers (RSA) bt Yayuk Basuki & Romana Tedjakusuma (Ina) 6-4, 5-7, 10-6; Teodora Mircic (Srb) & Lenka Tvaroskova (Svk) bt Ksenia Palkina (Kgz) & Anastasia Poltoratskaya (Rus) 6-4, 6-4.