Stuttgart - Dinara Safina came from behind in the second set as she beat Bulgarian qualifier Tsvetana Pironkova 6-1,
7-6 (8-6) and led a trio of Russians into the Porsche Grand Prix quarter-finals.
The third-seeded Safina, after a first-round bye, trailed 5-3 in the second set but then broke Pironkova at love in the next game en route to victory in the tiebreak after 1 hour 30 minutes.
"It wasn't an easy match, I didn't play at my best," said Safina. "I was going for my shots even if I was missing some. I was more aggressive."
Safina was joined in the quarters by Vera Zvonareva and the 2006 champion Nadia Petrova.
The seventh seeded Zvonareva spoilt the 24th birthday of her French opponent Marion Bartoli with a 6-2, 6-0 demolition. The unseeded Petrova ousted Switzerland's Patty Schnyder, 6-4, 6-1.
"I didn't give her a chance to get into the match. I played pretty well and consistent," said Zvonareva.
Petrova next plays Li Na of China who upset top seed Serena Williams on Wednesday night, a result that will see Williams lose the number one ranking next Monday.
Serbian Jelena Jankovic will return to the top in a tight battle with Williams for the year-ending top spot, with Safina and compatriot Olympic champion Elena Dementieva also in the frame.
Jankovic was due to play Alona Bondarenko of Ukraine later Thursday, with the winner playing Zvonareva. Safina meets either Venus Williams or the other Bondarenko sister Kateryna. The other quarter-final is Dementieva vs Victoria Azarenka of Belarus. (dpa)
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