Schnyder, Bartoli advance

2008-07-18 07:43

California - Patty Schnyder beat Alisa Kleybanova on Thursday to set up a quarter-final match against Serena Williams at the Bank of West Classic.

The fifth-seeded Schnyder of Switzerland used a mix of power and finesse to get by the inconsistent Kleybanova 7-6 (8) 6-4 in the second round.

"She was trying to dictate everything, whether winners or errors. ... I think she was so dominant it was tough for me to play," Schnyder said. "I had to mix it up a lot. It was her game plan to hit a lot of winners and also accept some errors."

Next up a quarter-final on Friday against Williams, who certainly will be eager to play better tennis after rallying from a set down to beat 15-year-old Michelle Larcher de Brito of Portugal 4-6 6-3 6-2 on Wednesday night in her opening match.

Williams has won seven of their previous 10 meetings, though Schnyder has taken two of the past three.

"It feels strange already the quarters," Schnyder said. "I like playing her. Obviously she's a great champion. Still, with her game, somehow I have found some ways to beat her in previous matches. She's the favourite and she does (well on) hard-court. It's going to be very tough."

Sixth-seeded Marion Bartoli of France advanced after being down two breaks in the third set of a 6-3 1-6 6-5 win over England's Anne Keothavong.

Quarter-finals

"From one double break down it was almost the end for me. I decided I was going to win this match whatever it takes," Bartoli said. "She was playing so well from the baseline and was hardly missing one ball. ... It was hard to do it, but I was able to get those winners."

Bartoli, the 2007 Wimbledon finalist, advances to face second-seeded Anna Chakvetadze of Russia in the quarter-finals.

A surprise quarter-finalist is Samantha Stosur, who upset third-seeded Vera Zvonareva 6-3 6-2 in Thursday's late match. Stosur only earned her spot in the main draw when Lindsay Davenport was forced to withdraw because of a knee injury.

Stosur next plays Canadian qualifier Aleksandra Wozniak, who beat her in the qualifying draw.

"It's a good opportunity for me to redeem myself," Stosur said.

For the 24-year-old Stosur, ranked No. 107, this run is quite meaningful considering she returned in April after being sidelined since last September with Lyme disease. Her body is holding up just fine and she's on her best surface, hard-courts.

"I guess I've really made the most of my opportunity getting in - a bit of luck, find some form," Stosur said. "I served pretty good. I hit a few double faults but also a few aces. I attacked when I could and played pretty good defence when I needed to."

- AP