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Watson and Robson march on in Osaka

Heather Watson is through to the last eight in Osaka © Getty Images

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Heather Watson pulled off an upset as she ousted sixth seed Anabel Medina Garrigues to reach the HP Open quarter-finals in Osaka.

Watson rallied from a set down to claim a 6-7(4) 6-2 6-3 victory and she was joined in the last eight by doubles partner Laura Robson.

Watson's hopes of progressing in Japan took a hit when she lost a tight opening set on a tiebreak, but clawed her way back into the match after breaking twice - and saving four break points - to level proceedings.

She carried her momentum into the decider, grabbing an early break to put her in command before breaking once again to secure the victory.

Watson, ranked No. 71 in the WTA rankings, will fancy her chances of reaching the semi-finals when she takes on France's Pauline Parmentier in the last eight after the world No. 73 dumped out second seed Zheng Jie 6-3 6-4.

Meanwhile, Laura Robson continued her impressive form in Asia as she saw off China's Zhou Mi-Yiao 6-4 6-4. Robson served four aces and won 70% of points on her first serve as she dominated the world No. 228. Standing between Robson and a place in the semi-finals is world No. 134 Chang Kei-Chen.

At the Generali Ladies Linz, meanwhile, top seeds Victoria Azarenka and Ana Ivanovic both moved into the third round with straight sets victories over Simona Halep and Andrea Petkovic respectively.

Azarenka wasted little time in securing a 6-1 6-1 success, while Ivanovic was asked to work marginally harder in defeating Petkovic 6-4 6-3.

There were also wins for Bethanie Mattek-Sands, Irina-Camelia Begu and Petra Martic.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.