Myskina, Bovina Upset, Mauresmo Survives at Doha

"The momentum for me started in Thailand," said Martinez of her recent sterling play. "I feel healthy. Beating the No. 5 in the world does a lot for my confidence."

Top-seeded Amelie Mauresmo narrowly avoided an upset, forced to come back from a set down against Serb wildcard Ana Ivanovic.

"It took me a while to get adjusted today -- getting used to the conditions," Mauresmo said. "It's so different from playing indoors and in Europe. But once I got my rhythm I felt good. She's a very good player and still so young. I think she will continue to do well."

No. 2 seed Maria Sharapova had an easier time Wednesday, steamrolling Gisela "Sgt." Dulko, baking breadsticks for the Argentine with a 6-1, 6-1 win.

"I am still not a hundred percent but I was happy to dictate the match today and get used to the conditions here in a proper match setting," said Sharapova, who skipped the Paris Open with the flu.

No. 4 Alicia Molik (d. Aussie countrywoman Pratt) also advanced into the quarterfinals, while No. 6 Elena "Lena" Bovina was defeated in three sets by the unseeded Daniela Hantuchova, and No. 5 Patty "Handshake" Schnyder was outlasted in three by Russian qualifier Maria Kirilenko.

Other un-seeds into the quarterfinals were France's Marion Bartoli (d. Kostanic) and Italy's Francesca Schiavone (d. Sugiyama in three).

On Thursday's schedule in Doha is Hantuchova vs. Martinez, Bartoli vs. Sharapova, Mauresmo vs. Kirilenko, and Molik vs. Schiavone.