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Roundup: Serena, top seeds all advance to quarters at Rogers Cup

Xinhua, August 14, 2015 Adjust font size:

World No. 1 Serena Williams needed just over an hour to beat German opponent Andrea Petkovic 6-3, 6-2 in her third round match Thursday at Rogers Cup tournament.

The victory extended Williams' undefeated streak in Toronto to 13 matches, a span that dates back to 2009. Williams won the 2011 and 2013 tournaments and is vying for her fourth Rogers Cup title.

"I love the city, and I've said this a million times," said Williams following an earlier match. "I really love playing here. I love the vibe."

Next up for Williams is a quarterfinal match against Italian Roberta Vinci on Friday.

In other action on Thursday, the four remaining top seeds in the tournament were victorious a day after four of the top eight seeds fell in their opening second-round matches.

No. 2 seed Simona Halep of Romania and No. 6 seed Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland both needed three sets to advance to the quarterfinals where they will square off against each other.

Halep defeated No. 13 seed Angelique Kerber of Germany 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 while Radwanska beat unseeded Alize Cornet of France 6-2, 4-6, 6-4.

Despite being the defending Roger Cup champion, Radwanska feels like the underdog in Friday's quarterfinal match against Halep.

"Well, she's one of the best women's players in the world and playing really good tennis, and I think I have really nothing to lose," said the 26-year-old after her third round victory. "You always do everything to defend the title. So I hope I can do that."

Meanwhile, No. 5 Ana Ivanovic of Serbia defeated Slovenian qualifier Polona Hercog in straight sets (6-2, 6-3) and is scheduled to face Swiss teenager Belinda Bencic in the quarterfinal round tomorrow. The winner will be on track to face Serena Williams in the semifinals.

Others advancing on Thursday included No. 15 seed Sara Errani and Ukrainian qualifier Lesia Tsurenko. Errani ousted former World No. 1 Victoria Azarenka in straight sets (7-5, 5-3) while Tsurenko beat German qualifier Carina Witthoeft (6-3, 6-4) to reach the quarters.

Witthoeft joined countrywomen Kerber, Petkovic and Sabine Lisicki on the rail, as they were all eliminated during the day. Endi