Sharapova reaches last eight in Paris

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Published time: June 05, 2012 08:24
Edited time: June 05, 2012 12:24

The last Russian standing Maria Sharapova has booked her place in the French Open quarter finals although she was pushed all the way in her last 16 tie.

Unseeded Czech Klara Zakopalova became the first player to take a set off Sharapova. The 30-year-old won the second on a tie-break but the Siberian-born player rallied to win in over three hours – 6-4, 6-7, 6-2. Estonia's Kaia Kanepi is up next.

Elsewhere, Na Li's title defense came to an abrupt end as the Chinese star went crashing out to unseeded Kazak Yaroslava Shvedova, 3-6, 6-2, 6-0. The seventh seed joins the likes of Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka on the sidelines.

Meanwhile, Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova breezed past Varvara Lepchenko of the USA as the Czech never faced a break point and needed an hour flat to secure a 6-2, 6-1 victory.

Over on the men's side, holder Rafael Nadal stayed on course for a record seventh title. The second-seed Spaniard reeled off 17 straight games to thrash Juan Monaco, 6-2, 6-0, 6-0.

World number four Andy Murray had a much harder time against local favorite Richard Gasquet. The Briton was seemingly struggling with his hip in the opening set to lose it 6-1, but battled back to win the match 1-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 and remain in contention for his maiden Grand Slam title.

Standing in the way next is Spaniard David Ferrer. The number six seed progressed at the expense of compatriot Marcel Granollers, and has yet to drop a set after winning the match 6-3, 6-2, 6-0. So Murray is bracing himself for a tough encounter.

Also through is Frenchman Jo Wilfried Tsonga. The number five seed outstayed Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland in a tight five-setter: 6-4, 7-6, 3-6, 3-6, 6-4. Waiting for the Frenchman in the quarter-finals is world number one Novak Djokovic.

Former US Open Champion Juan Martin Del Potro is also through. He beat Czech Tomas Berdych in a battle of the big servers. The Argentinean now meets Roger Federer.