New Delhi: Shikha Uberoi advanced to the second round of women?s singles with a stunning defeat of Japan?s Akiko Morigami in Indian Wells.

Shikha maintained her stupendous form that had seen her come through the tough qualifying rounds of the $2.1 million event sanctioned by both the atp and wta Tours to thrashed the world 75th ranked Morigami 6-4, 7-5 in the first round on Thursday night.

Uberoi, ranked 147, next faces 27th seed and world No. 41 Meghan Shaughnessy of the US.

In the qualifiers, the Indian-origin American had earlier defeated Japan?s Saori Obata 6-3, 6-1 and Russia?s 146th ranked Ekaterina Bychkova 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 in the qualies.

Shikha is noted as the other female tennis prodigy that India has produced of late, other than Sania Mirza who has created a flutter in all sporting and non-sporting circles. Even Sania has lauded Shikha's ability

The Indian Wells event is a tier 1 event with 96-size draw.