Petrova beats heat on Gold Coast
GOLD COAST, Australia -- Second seed Nadia Petrova advanced to the quarterfinals of the Australian women's hardcourt championships with a 6-2 6-2 win over Australia's Nicole Pratt.
The 21-year-old Russian overcame soaring temperatures and pre-match dehydration to win in 63 minutes.
Petrova next faces 17-year-old Dinara Safina, who overcame Spanish fifth seed Conchita Martinez 6-3 6-4.
"It's a good test for me," said Petrova. "I feel strong, I feel fast and also mentally strong."
In an all-Russian second round clash, 18-year-old Svetlana Kuznetsova upset third seed Vera Zvonareva 1-6 6-3 6-2.
Kuznetsova said she had been forced to raise her game against her compatriot.
"You have much pressure on you and you play differently," said Kuznetsova.
"Everyone wants to play Fed Cup and everyone wants to play Olympics. We have to fight each other to get this chance."
Kuznetsova next faces defending champion Nathalie Dechy of France, who advanced when Switzerland's Patty Schnyder pulled out of the tournament with an ankle sprain.
Suarez wins in New Zealand
Top seed Paola Suarez of Argentina beat American Lindsay Lee-Waters to reach the quarterfinals at the Auckland Classic in New Zealand.
Suarez was one of only four second round winners on a rain-disrupted day.
France's Marion Bartoli beat Zimbabwe's Cara Black 6-1 6-1, American Shenay Perry beat Tathiana Garbin of Italy 6-1 2-6 6-3 and Puerto Rico's Kristina Brandi beat Amy Frazier of the U.S. 2-6 7-6 7-6.
