Russian duo Vera Zvonareva and Maria Kirilenko reached the quarterfinals of the $220,000 Pattaya Open in Thailand on Wednesday.
Top seed Zvonareva beat Uzbekistan's Akgul Amanmuradova 6-3, 6-3, to meet Romania Sorana Cirstea in the quarterfinals. Compatriot Maria Kirilenko had a sterner test but overcame Russian-born Australian player Anastasia Rodionova, 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (3).
Kirilenko will now play veteran Thai player Tamarine Tamasugarn, who lost to Zvonareva in the 2010 final. Tamasugarn progressed to the quarterfinals after her second-round opponent, Kazakhstan’s Galina Voskoboeva, retired hurt.
The two Russians are on course to collide in the semifinals if they win their quarterfinals. Zvonareva won the title in 2009 and 2010.
No. 2 seed Daniela Cibulkova crashed out on the first day, losing to Britain’s Anne Keothavong 6-4, 6-1.
The winner of the Pattaya Open will win $37,000 after Sunday's final.
