Maria Sharapova was taken to three sets by fellow Russian Anna Chakvetadze before winning their third-round match at the JPMorgan Chase Open. Sharapova, who is playing her first tournament since losing in the semi-finals at Wimbledon, made numerous errors before winning 4-6 6-4 7-5.
"I'm not playing 100% physically," said Sharapova. "I'm serving 92 miles per hour, and I'm not hitting my forehand.
"It's good to know that without playing great, you tough it out and you win."
The Russian can become world number one at the end of the week should she reach the semi-final stage.
She will be joined in the last eight by another Russian, Nadia Petrova, who defeated Klara Koukalova 6-2 6-4.
Fifth seed Kim Clijsters went through with a 6-0 7-5 win over Dinara Safina.
"Maybe it was a little bit too easy in the first set and wasn't as focused in the second set," said Clijsters. "But I hung in there and I ended well. I started playing towards the end."
In other third-round action, third-seeded Russian Elena Dementieva got past Marion Bartoli of France 6-3 7-6.
Francesca Schiavone of Italy eliminated Varvara Lepchenko of Uzbekistan 6-3 2-6 6-3 and Italian Tatiana Garbin dismissed veteran American Lisa Raymond 6-4 6-3.
Spanish veteran Conchita Martinez also advanced when Eleni Daniilidou withdrew with a right ankle sprain after losing the first set 6-1.
MMIX
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