Tennis: Sharapova advances to last 8 at US Open

NEW YORK (AFP) - Russian third seed Maria Sharapova advanced to the quarter-finals of the US Open on Sunday by defeating 19th-seeded compatriot Nadia Petrova 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 in an Arthur Ashe Stadium night match.

Sharapova, who completed a career Grand Slam by capturing the French Open title last June, reached the last eight in the Flushing Meadows fortnight for the first time since her championship run six years ago.

Petrova, who fell to 1-9 all-time against Sharapova, failed in her bid to match her best US Open runs from 2004 and 2005.

Sharapova will next face French 11th seed Marion Bartoli, who beat Czech fifth seeded left-hander Petra Kvitova, the 2011 Wimbledon winner, 1-6, 6-2, 6-0, to book her first trip to the US Open quarter-finals in her 11th attempt.