Estoril Open 2004 News and Events

Denisa Chladkova
© João Lagos Sports

The top two players from the Czech Republic set up a quarterfinal clash at the Estoril Open after both recorded victories at the Estadio Nacional on Thursday.

Fourth seed Denisa Chladkova ended the hopes of Portuguese wild card Neuza Silva with a 6-2, 6-1 victory, while Czech No. 2 and sixth seed in Estoril Iveta Benesova recovered from the loss of the first set to defeat Italy's Flavia Pennetta 1-6, 6-3, 6-4.

For Benesova, currently at a career-high No. 60 in the WTA Tour rankings this week, it was her second victory over Pennetta this year, having defeated the Italian in the Acapulco final to capture her first career title.

The 21-year-old left-hander, took 1 hour, 28 minutes to set up her meeting with Chladkova, who had a more comfortable passage to the quarterfinals against Silva, taking just 63 minutes.

"I didn't play so well today but it was important to get through," said the Czech. "[Silva] needs more experience in these types of matches in order to improve her game. If I still want to win I have to play better than today because I am expecting a tough match for tomorrow."

Chladkova, who reached the quarterfinals in Antwerp earlier this year, is now 8-8 in 2004. The Czech No. 1, ranked No. 55 in the world, is looking to claim her first career WTA Tour title this week. She has won both of her previous meetings against Benesova in Antwerp on carpet last year and on clay in Helsinki in 2002.

Also through to the quarterfinals for the first time this year is Stephanie Cohen-Aloro, the French woman who stopped Henrieta Nagyova's progress with a 7-5, 7-5 victory over the Slovak, while Nagyova's countrywoman Martina Sucha faired better against Maria-Elena Camerin, moving through to her first quarterfinal of the year with a 6-2, 6-4 victory.

Sucha, who reached the third round of the Pacific Life Open last month in Indian Wells, defeated Emilie Loit along the way before losing to Amy Frazier in the Californian desert.