Pe'er breezes into Pattaya quarters

The 21-year-old Israeli, ranked number 48 in the world is seeded seventh in Thailand.

By ALLON SINAI, AP
shahar peer tennis 248 88 ap (photo credit: AP [file])
shahar peer tennis 248 88 ap
(photo credit: AP [file])
Shahar Pe'er faced little resistance on her way to the quarterfinals of the Pattaya Open in Thailand on Thursday, defeating Ukrainian Yuliya Beygelzimer 6-4, 6-1 in 74 minutes. The 21-year-old Israeli, who is ranked number 48 in the world and is seeded seventh in Thailand, won the Pattaya tournament in 2006 and will next face Russian Vera Dushevina (75). Top-seeded Vera Zvonareva overpowered Yaroslava Shedova of Kazakhstan 6-4, 6-4 on Thursday to also reach the quarterfinals. Thai hope Tamarine Tanasugarn also won through to the last eight. No. 5-ranked Zvonareva was in trouble at times against Shedova but managed crucial breaks in the 10th game and again in the opening game of the second to win in 1 hour and 40 minutes. "It was difficult coming off a Grand Slam and play a new tournament which has different conditions, especially here which is hot and has two courts next to each other. It's difficult to concentrate because of the noises," the Russian player said. "My level of game is not there yet but I fought hard for every point and played clean service games and didn't give her a chance to break." Zvonareva will play Peng Shuai of China in the quarterfinals, with the Russian boasting a 4-0 record in their head-to-head meetings. "She is an up-and-coming player," Zvonareva said. "She can be very dangerous if she keeps working hard like she is doing now. She has a few good wins. Every time we play, they've been tough three sets." Tanasugarn, seeded sixth, beat Portugal's Neuza Silva 6-3, 6-2.