Top seed Maria Sharapova battled hard before beating Israel's Shahar Peer to reach the last eight at the China Open. Sharapova eventually triumphed 6-0 5-7 6-2 to set up a quarter-final meeting with Japan's Shinobu Asagoe.
The Russian teenager was dominant in the opening set but was punished for some sloppy play in the second.
By contrast, Wimbledon champion Venus Williams blew past Spaniard Nuria Llagostera Vives 6-3 6-1 despite an injury scare over her left knee.
MMIX
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