BEIJING, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- U.S. Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova survived a tough battle Thursday to reach the quarterfinals of the China Open.
The 19-year-old second-seeded Russian outlasted Chinese qualifier Na Li 6-3, 6-7 (6-8), 7-6 (7-3).
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Kuznetsova has won 12 straight matches.
Also advancing was No. 3 seed Vera Zvonareva of Russia, a 6-2, 6-3 winner over Emmanuelle Gagliardi of Switzerland.
Others winning Thursday were Nadia Petrova of Russia and Serbian Jelena Jankovic.
The tournament's top seed, American Serena Williams, reached the quarterfinals Wednesday.
