Indian Wells, CA (Sports Network) - Last year's runner-up Maria Sharapova
secured a berth in the quarterfinals at the $5.186 million BNP Paribas Open.
The second-seeded former world No. 1, who captured the Indian Wells title back
in 2006, handled Spaniard Lara Arruabarrena-Vecino 7-5, 6-0 in 78 minutes on a
hot day at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Sharapova popped five aces and
broke her Spanish counterpart six times on Day 7.
The French Open champion Sharapova lost to Australian Open champ and fellow
former No. 1 Victoria Azarenka in last year's Indian Wells finale.
Sharapova's quarterfinal opponent will be gritty Italian Sara Errani, which
will mark a rematch of last year's French Open final, won by the tall Russian.
Meanwhile, fifth-seeded Czech slugger Petra Kvitova whipped 19th-seeded
compatriot Klara Zakopalova 6-2, 6-3 and a sixth-seeded Errani whipped ninth-
seeded 2011 Indian Wells finalist Marion Bartoli of France 6-3, 6-2. The
former Wimbledon champion Kvitova titled in Dubai last month, while the hot
Errani was a titlist in Acapulco two weeks ago.
This Premier Mandatory WTA event will pay its newest champion $1 million.
The Sports Network