Estoril Open 2007 News and Events

Marion Bartoli
© AFP/Getty Images

Top-seeded Marion Bartoli of France knocked out Spaniard Virginia Ruano Pascual 6-3, 6-3 in 79 minutes for a place in the quarterfinals of the Estoril Open on Wednesday.

Bartoli converted four of six break point opportunities in the pair’s first career meeting. The World No. 23 improves to 9-11 this year, with her best result being a fourth round performance (l. to Vaidisova) in Indian Wells.

Ruano Pascual, currently No. 115 in the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Rankings, falls to 4-6 in 2007.

Third-seeded Lucie Safarova, who captured her main WTA Tour title over Na Li of China in 2005 title, set up a quarterfinal meeting with Lourdes Dominguez Lino.

Czech Safarova struggled past Anastasiya Yakimova 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 in one hour and 53 minutes.

World No. 30 Safarova, who improves to 14-5 this season, also beat the Belarusian in the Australian Open third round earlier this year.

Spaniard Dominguez Lino, making her fourth appearance at the tournament, advanced to her third quarterfinal (also 2002, 2006) with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Italian Alberta Brianti in 49 minutes.

Dominguez Lino is now 6-0 in career meetings with Brianti.

Croatian qualifier Nika Ozegovic, playing her first main draw match, knocked out No. 6 seed Maria Kirilenko of Russia 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 for a place in the second round.

Torrential rain forced play to be suspended at 13:15 local time.

The women’s tournament is a $145,000, Tier IV event, which is a part of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour.