Sharapova, Serena march to quarters

TORONTO – Maria Sharapova beat fellow-Russian Vera Zvonareva, 6-2, 7-6 (3), Thursday to join Serena Williams in the quarterfinals of the Rogers Cup.

After waiting out a storm that suspended play for an hour, Sharapova eliminated the No. 7 seed to advance past the third round of the Canadian tournament for the first time.

It was another positive step for the 49th-ranked Sharapova, who returned in May from shoulder injury that kept her out of action for nine months.

“I thought it was a step up, definitely,” Sharapova said. “I had to (play) against somebody that I’ve had trouble against in the past who I usually play three sets against. It was good to finish the match in two, but I really had no choice. I had to pick it up.”

Zvonareva won four straight games in the second set before Sharapova recovered to force the tiebreaker, which she won easily. Sharapova will next face No. 14. Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland.

“I think this is definitely a great result,” Sharapova said. “I’ve already played against three great opponents and I’m going to play another opponent tomorrow and you just hope that with each match you can raise your level and play better.”

In the late match, fifth-seeded Jelena Jankovic of Serbia rallied to beat Kim Clijsters, 1-6, 6-3, 7-5.

Williams had a much easier time, beating Ukraine’s Alona Bondarenko, 6-1, 6-4, two days after sister Venus Williams fell to Kateryna Bondarenko.

Serena Williams will next face Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic. The second-ranked Williams is the highest-seeded player left in the tournament after No. 1 Dinara Safina lost Wednesday.

Williams was disappointed with her performance, saying it wasn’t as strong as her opening win against Yaroslava Shvedova the day before. (AP)