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Azarenka battles into Moscow quarters

Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez had to battle past Alona Bondarenko © Getty Images

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Victoria Azarenka had to dig deep to battle her way past Andrea Petkovic to reach the quarter-finals of the Kremlin Cup in Moscow.

The second seed failed to hold serve seven times but produced a gritty display to triumph 6-4 2-6 6-1 after two hours, 38 minutes on court.

After a poor start, Azarenka battled back from a break down to take the opening set, but after wasting seven break point opportunities in the third game, converted her remaining three to wrap up the opening set.

After a topsy-turvy first set Petkovic, the world No. 32, once more grabbed an early break, but this time clung on to level the match. But the momentum swung once more, and Azarenka powered to a hard-fought berth in the last eight.

The victory also seals the Belarusian's qualification for the WTA Championships in Doha. Azarenka had been the second substitute, but following Serena Williams' withdrawal with a foot injury, Azarenka qualified at the expense of Li Na, who lost in the first round in Moscow.

Eighth seed Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez also progressed after surviving a second-set wobble to Alona Bondarenko. The Spanish world No. 1 was let down by her service game as she won just ten points on serve in the second set, but eventually wrapped up a 6-4 1-6 6-1 victory.

Martinez Sanchez will now meet Dominika Cibulkova in the quarter-finals after the Slovak eased past Tsvetana Pironkova 6-4 6-1.

Meanwhile at the Luxembourg Open, British No. 2 Anne Keothavong will play Patty Schnyder in the second round after the world No. 43 defeated third seed Yanina Wickmayer. Wickmayer served eight double faults and won less than half of the points on her serve as she fell 6-4 6-4. Schynder will now face Keothavong, who beat Virginie Razzano in the first round for a place in the quarter-finals.

Also through to the second round are Polona Hercog and Barbora Zahlavova Strycova.

In the day's second round action, No. 7 seed Jarmila Groth failed to reach the last eight after she was beaten 6-4 7-5 Iveta Benesova, while eighth seed Julia Goerges humbled Carla Suarez Navarro 6-2 6-1.

Second seed Aravane Rezai suffered a shock defeat to Kirsten Flipkens, while Ana Ivanovic cruised into the second round.

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