TOKYO, Feb. 1 (UPI) -- World No. 1 Maria Sharapova needed three sets Thursday to advance in the second round of the $1.34 million Pan Pacific Open tennis tournament in Tokyo.
Sharapova was a 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 winner over Francesca Schiavone to earn a slot in the tournament quarterfinals. Sharapova next goes against local favorite Ai Sugiyama, who ousted Maria Kirilenko, 3-6, 6-1, 6-3, in her second-round match.
Third-seeded Elena Dementieva also moved into Friday's quarterfinals, posting a 6-3, 7-5 win over Elena Likhovtseva. Dementieva, who won this event last year, will meet Roberta Vinci, who topped Severine Bremond 6-3, 6-0 on Thursday.
Jelena Jankovic, seeded fourth at Tokyo, was a straight-set 6-4, 6-0 winner over Jie Zheng to earn a quarterfinals match with fifth-seeded Ana Ivanovic, who Thursday rallied to a 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 win over Mara Santangelo.
The fourth quarterfinal Friday sends second-seeded Martina Hingis, who won her second-round match Wednesday, against Samantha Stosur, who on Thursday upset No. 6 Na Li, 6-2, 6-4.
The tournament continues through Sunday, when the titlists will collect $182,000.
