Associated Press

Berlin, May 6:

Russia’s Nadia Petrova took advantage of a rain-soaked clay court to knock defending champion Amelie Mauresmo out of the German Open quarter-finals, 6-2, 6-3.

Petrova needed 70 minutes to beat the Frenchwoman at the $1.3 million event.

In other quarters, Maria Sharapova is set to continue her quest to win the event and pass Lindsay Davenport as the world’s top-ranked player. The Russian will face Justine Henin-Hardenne.

Rome Masters

ROME: Andre Agassi continued his attempt for a first title since August by moving into the Rome Masters semi-finals with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Slovakia’s Dominik Hrbaty.

Agassi broke Hrbaty’s serve to close out the first set and won a break-filled second set. In all, Agassi had six breaks to Hrbaty’s three. He will meet either French Open runner-up Guillermo Coria or Spain’s Fernando Verdasco in the semi-finals of this $2.7 event. Ferrer saved four match points before beating fellow Spaniard Alberto Martin 6-2, 3-6, 7-5 to reach his second semis this season.