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Venus advances in Dubai

Shahar Peer's impressive run in Dubai continued with victory over Caroline Wozniacki © Getty Images

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Day Four in pictures

Venus Williams was given a solid workout before seeing off Olga Govortsova 7-5 6-0 to reach the quarter-finals of the Dubai Tennis Championships.

The defending champion was made to work hard in the first set as, after dropping her serve on two occasions, she trailed 5-4 but reeled off three games on the spin to take the opening set.

The loss of the opening set from a winning position dented the confidence of the Belarusian Govortsova, as Williams broke three times in the second set to wrap up the match in one hour and 23 minutes.

Williams will now Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova who beat Daniela Hantuchova 6-3 6-4.

Caroline Wozniacki was sent crashing out by Shahar Peer who wrapped up a stunning 6-2 7-5 win.

Israel star Peer has been the centre of attention in Dubai, 12 months on from being denied a place in the event on account of a political row. There were no such issues this year and her tennis has done the talking all week.

Peer was hugely impressive in beating Virginie Razzano on Tuesday and followed it up by sending the No. 1 seed tumbling out of the event.

Wozniacki could never get to grips with her opponent's game and dropped her serve on four occasions in the first set. The see-saw nature of the contest continued in the second set as neither player found any consistency on serve. Peer broke on four occasions to Wozniacki's three and despite squandering three match points, Peer wrapped up the match in one hour and 36 minutes.

The point of victory proved to be an emotional moment for Peer, who said: "I never cried when I won before. I've cried before when I lost matches, but this is the first time I cried when I won.

"I try to take energy from what's going on, and I really think I am playing better and better."

Peer has played her three matches on outside courts on account of security concerns and admits she would prefer to stay there rather than head to a show court. "I like my court," she said. "I am doing well there. I am happy I am staying there. I knew I would play there, probably most of my matches."

Svetlana Kuznetsova tumbled out to Regina Kulikova © Getty Images

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Peer will meet Na Li in the quarter-finals after the Chinese player came from a set down to beat Marion Bartoli 3-6 7-5 6-0. Bartoli appeared on course for victory after taking the first set and securing a break in the second, but Li battled back and broke to spirit of her French opponent to such an extent that she took the final set to love.

The day of shocks continued as second seed Svetlana Kuznetsova tumbled out at the hands of fellow Russian Regina Kulikova 5-7 7-6 6-4. Kuznetsova battled through the first set, but the tide turned in the second as Kulikova edged it in a tie-break. The third set proved a tense affair and one break of serve enabled Kulikova to edge over the line.

Another top seed exited the tournament when Jelena Jankovic lost to Vera Zvonareva 6-3 6-2. The world No. 8 endured a torrid time, winning just 12% of the points on her second serve on her way to being thoroughly beaten in 77 minutes.

Kulikova will meet Agnieszka Radwanska for a place in the quarter-finals, after the seventh seed claimed a 6-3 6-0 win over Flavia Pennetta . In a thoroughly dominant display, the Pole broke her opponent's serve on five occasions and bageled the Italian in the second set.

Victoria Azarenka eased into the quarter-finals with a 6-1 4-6 6-3 win over Germany's Anna-Lena Groenefeld.

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