Bartoli recorded her first victory over Ana Ivanovic

Reigning champion Marion Bartoli advanced to the Stanford quarter-finals with a 6-3 6-4 win over former world number one Ana Ivanovic.

Russian Maria Sharapova also reached the last eight, beating Belarusian Olga Govortsova, while Maria Kirilenko defeated sixth seed Shahar Peer.

American teenager Melanie Oudin lost 6-3 6-1 to eighth seed Victoria Azarenka in California.

"I'm really pleased I was finally able to get past her," said Bartoli.

The Frenchwoman, who beat Venus Williams to win the 2009 Stanford title, recorded her first victory against Ivanovic having lost all three of their previous meetings.

606: DEBATE Who will win the title in Stanford?

Bartoli will next face Azarenka, who believes she can regain a place among the world's top 10 after struggling in recent months.

"I think I played very well," said Azarenka. "It was a little tough at the beginning with a couple of service breaks, but I felt strong the whole match."

Sharapova, a three-time Grand Slam winner, dictated the action off the ground against the erratic Govortsova, eventually winning 6-3 6-3.

"I stayed aggressive and made sure to have an extra something on my ball," said fifth seed Sharapova, who will face second seed Elena Dementieva of Russia in the quarter-finals.

"I thought I had the advantage when I hit a good solid serve and then tried to take the ball and do something with it."

Peer had beaten Kirilenko in New Zealand at the start of the season but this time the Russian was in control, defeating her opponent 6-4 6-3.

"This time I decided to be a lot more aggressive," said Kirilenko. "This year has been so much better and given me a lot of confidence."

Kirilenko will meet third seed Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland in the quarter-finals, while top seed Samantha Stosur of Australia will play Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version