Davenport Advances to Henin Meeting at Australian Open

"She definitely gave me a reprieve at 3-4 where I really think I only hit one or two balls that game, and she was missing a lot and going for shots," said Davenport who lost four straight games after the ankle turn before regaining her composure to close out the second set. "That obviously helped open the door after I'd lost four games in a row and struggling. At 4-all, I was just trying to go for shots and keep the points a little shorter. It's a tough position to be in as the opponent, I understand that. All I know is I was trying to keep the points as short as possible towards the end. The finish line was obviously in sight. It's easier in that regard for me to play."

Kuznetsova, a reputable head case since failing to deal with the pressure of winning the 2004 US Open, has now lost three in a row to the American since first beating her in the 2004 semifinals en route to her lone slam title.

"I'm getting there," said Kuznetsova, on the verge of moving back into the Top 10 on the WTA Tour Rankings. "Today I understood what I have to work on, and I have to just get back to the training court and work about it. But hopefully in a couple matches with top players, I'll get my level and can compete against them in the top level."

Davenport will next face No. 8 seed Justine Henin-Hardenne, who blasted Spanish doubles specialist Virginia Ruano Pascual off the court 6-0, 6-3.

"I think I've played pretty serious matches, very professional, very aggressive way," said the oft-injured former No. 1 Henin-Hardenne who will undoubtable contend for the top spot in 2006 if she can stay off the medical trainer's table. "And Tuesday starts not another tournament, but it's going to be the next step, playing the No. 1 player in the world. So it's going to be a good test for myself. I will enjoy being here in the quarters again. I think that's pretty amazing after four months off. I'm very happy about that. And I try to enjoy that. It's going to be a tough match."

No. 4 seed Maria Sharapova won the battle of long-limbed runway looks against No. 17 Daniela Hantuchova with a 6-4, 6-4 win Sunday, while No. 6-seeded Russian Nadia Petrova moved into the quarters with a 6-3, 6-1 win over unseeded countrywoman Elena Vesnina, advancing to her first Aussie Open quarterfinal.

Hantuchova led 3-0 in the second set, eventually leaving the court to be treated for a leg injury and returning with a taped left thigh before being broken in the ninth game by Sharapova for the eventual loss.

On court Monday in Melbourne are (3) Mauresmo vs. (16) Vaidisova, (2) Clijsters vs. (15) Schiavone, Hingis vs. the serve-and-volleying Aussie Sam Stosur in the day's marquee match-up, and (7) Schnyder vs. (12) Myskina.