Rome, May 14: French number two seed Amelie Mauresmo advanced into the quarter-finals of the Rome Masters with an impressive straight sets victory over Spanish 13th seed Conchita Martinez yesterday.
A three-time beaten finalist here, Mauresmo produced a display full of power and movement to defeat the 1994 Wimbledon champion 6-3, 6-4 in 70 minutes at the Foro Italico.
Mauresmo's victory over the 32-year-old four-time Rome champion set up a meeting against 10th seed Silvia Farina Elia, who beat Russian 17-year-old Maria Sharapova in her second match of the day to ensure there would be two Italians in the quarter-finals.
Farina Elia, who defeated American Meghann Shaughnessy in her rain-delayed second round match in the day's early action, joined compatriot Francesco Schiavone in the quarter-finals.
American fifth seed Jennifer Capriati, winner of three grand slam titles, lost just four games in her straight sets demolition of Argentine Paola Suarez in her third round match.



A trouble-free 6-2, 6-2 victory set up a quarter-final clash against Israeli 16th seed Anna Smashnova-Pistolesi, who defeated Italian wildcard Flavia Pennetta.



Mauresmo, 24, said she had to be aggressive to prevent Martinez taking control of the match.



"I tried to use a little power because if you give her time and let her dictate the game she can punish you," Mauresmo said.



Mauresmo, who has always reached at least the quarterfinals here since her first appearance in 1999, said her good record in rome was down to her preparation.


Bureau Report