Serena moves into Paris quarterfinals

PARIS, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- Serena Williams, the No. 1 player in the world, who is off to a sensational start in 2009, easily moved into the quarterfinals Thursday at the Open GDF Suez.

Williams played her 13th match of the season and won for the 12th time, defeating Karolina Sprem 6-1, 6-2. Williams is coming off her recent triumph at the Australian Open.

Former No. 1 Jelena Jankovic also advanced with a difficult 6-0, 3-6, 6-2 triumph over Li Na. They had played four previous times on a hard-court surface and Li had won them all.

The tournament is played on the hard courts of Stade Pierre de Coubertin.

Elena Dementieva earned a quarterfinal berth with a 6-4, 6-2 decision over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. Dementieva's only loss this year was a setback against Williams in the semifinals of the Australian Open.

In the quarterfinals, Williams will meet Emilie Loit, Dementieva will play Nathalie Dechy, Jankovic will face Alize Cornet and Amelie Mauresmo will be in action against Agnieszka Radwanska.