Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska saved two match points to win a thrilling three-set clash against China's Peng Shuai yesterday, and securing a top eight spot in the women's singles at the Australian Open.

Twelfth seed Radwanska outlasted Peng in three tight sets to win a tense battle 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 in a two hour 44 minute contest at Melbourne Park's Margaret Court Arena.

The result leaves China relying on Li Na, a semifinalist last year, as it seeks its first ever grand slam singles title. Li will play Germany's Andrea Petkovic in the quarterfinals today.

Peng and Radwanska were evenly matched with the 21-year-old Radwanska just shading the first set and Peng the second. Peng looked on track when she secured an early break in the third with a series of penetrating ground strokes, but Radwanska broke straight back then broke again to open up a 3-1 lead.

However the Chinese player showed incredible fight to come again, breaking Radwanska twice then serving for the match at 5-4. She brought up two match points but Radwanska bravely saved both as she levelled the set, then held her own serve to go to 6-5.

The pressure proved too much for Peng, who cracked as Radwanska attacked and produced three match points of her own. Peng saved the first but weakly backhanded the second into the net, to the dismay of a vocal contingent of Chinese fans.