Jankovic and Wozniacki both taken out in Cincinnati 3rd round

Qualifier Akgul Amanmuradova played the match of her life today in Cincinnati. She upset top Jelena Jankovic 7-6, 6-4 in the third round. Amanmuradova hit twelve aces, didn't double-fault once, and had first and second serve percentages of 80 and 75. Jankovic never saw a break point opportunity.

2nd seed Caroline Wozniacki, who has defeated 16th seed Marion Bartoli the last few times they have played each other on hard courts, was upset 6-4, 6-1 by Bartoli today. When the Frenchwoman's serve is on, she is very hard to beat, and today it was as on as it has ever been. Bartoli rolled through the match like a woman on a mission. Those who live in the U.S. got to see her extended interview, which was almost as good as the match.

10th seed Maria Sharapova defeated 7th seed Agnieszka Radwanska 6-3, 6-2, 11th Flavia Pennetta defeated 6th seed Vera Zvonareva 6-4, 6-3, and 12th seed Yanina Wickmayer defeated 8th seed Li Na 2-6, 6-2, 7-6. Istanbul champion Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova defeated 13th seed Shahar Peer 5-7, 6-4, 6-4.

Also advancing to the quarterfinals were Ana Ivanovic who defeated Elena Vesnina), and 4th seed Kim Clijsters who defeated wild card Christina McHale.

Here is the quarterfinal draw:

Yanina Wickmayer vs. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
Akgul Amanmuradova vs. Ana Ivanovic
Kim Clijsters vs. Flavia Pennetta
Maria Sharapova vs. Marion Bartoli

Venus Williams withdraws from Cincinnati

Venus Williams has withdrawn from the Cincinnati tournament next week. The world number 4 is experiencing pain in her left knee and, according to her doctors, cannot play again until she is pain-free.