Sharapova breezes past Kuznetsova to enter Cincinnati Quarterfinals, Na Li loses

2010 finalist Maria Sharapova made a strong statement in Cincinnati when she humbled her multiple Grand Slam winning opponent Svetlana Kuznetsova to advance to the last eight of the WTA event.

Former World No.1 Maria Sharapova scored a comprehensive win over countrywoman Svetlana Kuznetsova to advance to the quarterfinals of the 2011 Western and Southern Open, a WTA premier event being played here in Cincinnati, USA. Sharapova made a competitive start to the match and struggled to hold serves before clinching a break in the fifth game, followed by a bonus break in the seventh game to seal the set 6-2.

The second set gave a favourable opening to Sharapova who got a crucial break to have a cruise control of the match. A trade of breaks followed later after which Sharapova completed the 6-2, 6-3 win in one hour and 21 minutes of play.

Earlier today, second seed Vera Zvonareva posted a clinical 6-2, 6-2 win over Croatian qualifier Petra Martic in one hour of play to move ahead. She was later joined by 10th seed Samantha Stosur, who knocked out French Open champion Na Li for the second time in two weeks to advance to the last eight. Stosur survived mid match jitters to beat the Chinese star with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 scoreline in a match that lasted two hours in play.

Meanwhile, unseeded Russian Nadia Petrova ended the dream run of American teenager Christina Mchale with a 6-3, 6-3 win. Slovakian Daniela Hantuchova also advanced with a 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 win over Frenchwoman and eighth seed Marion Bartoli.