New Delhi: Top-seeded Sania Mirza inched closer to her second consecutive International Tennis Federation (ITF) singles title, advancing to the semi-finals of the $75,000 Vancouver Open, according to information received here on Saturday.

She faced a spirited fight from unseeded American Rebecca Marino in the quarter final challenge.

Sania had to dig deep into her reserves to edge past the local favourite 7-6(2), 6-7(3), 6-4 in the hard-court tournament.

The Indian now faces another unseeded local, Sharon Fichman, for a place in the final.

Fichman beat compatriot Marie-Eve Pelletier 6-2, 6-1 in another quarter final.

Sania had won the ITF Lexington Challenger recently.