Mauresmo Ousted by Qualifier at WTA Eastbourne

"She was obviously playing better than me today, but I was not happy with my form," said Mauresmo who lost serve three times. "I was hoping to have a better preparation for Wimbledon, and get a few matches here, but it was difficult to find my rhythm today. I was feeling good in practice, but it wasn't there in the match."

Also mowed under Wednesday was No. 5 seed Vera Zvonareva (l. to (Q) Vinci) and former Wimbledon champ and wildcard Conchita Martinez (l. to (7) Clijsters).

Others seeds into the quarterfinals were (2) Svetlana Kuznetsova (d. countrywoman (Q) Chakvetadze 7-6 in the third), (4) Anastasia Myskina (d. (LL) Vento-Kabchi 6-0 in the third), and (8) Nathalie Dechy (d. Frazier in three).

"I think it was obvious she was nervous serving for the match at 5-4," said Kuznetsova, who is known for battling her own nerves in big matches. "I think I have an advantage with my experience, and that helped me to win this match. Last year when I won the title I had a few three-set matches, so I know how to handle the pressure here."

For Myskina the win snapped a four-match losing streak.

"I'm very happy because I won my first match in a long time," said the 23-year-old Russian, who will face Roberta Vinci on Thursday. "Roberta is a qualifier, but she's played a lot of matches this week, so she's going to have some good form. I'm going to have to play well and take my chances."

Winners in all-unseeded contests were France's Marion Bartoli (d. (LL) Raymond) and American lucky loser Mashona Washington (d. Razzano).

On court Thursday in Eastbourne are Dechy vs. Kuznetsova, Clijsters vs. Washington, Myskina vs. Vinci, and Douchevina vs. Bartoli.