Maria Sharapova beat Li Na of China 6-2, 6-4 Thursday to reach the
quarterfinals of the Birmingham Classic women's tennis tournament
in England.
Sharapova broke Li's serve twice early in the first set and then
closed her out after she double-faulted with the score 4-4.
The 2004 Wimbledon champion looked more comfortable on grass as
she sought a third straight win at the Wimbledon warmup.
"I was definitely better than in my first match, and I think I
will keep improving," Sharapova said. "I am getting a bit of
rhythm. The bounce is low and you have to bend your knees."
Sharapova will face Mara Santangelo of Italy for a spot in the
semifinals. Santangelo defeated Ai Sugiyama 7-6, 6-4.
In other matches, Francesca Schiavone of Italy beat Tsvetana
Pironkova of Bulgaria 3-6, 6-3, 6-1, and American Jamea Jackson
downed Jelena Jankovic of Serbia-Montenegro, 6-4, 0-6, 7-5.
American Meilen Tu defeated Sania Mirza of India 2-6, 6-4, 7-6
(3).
(AP via China Daily June 16, 2006)
