Peer Victorious in Prague

No.3 seed Shahar Peer advanced to the quarterfinals in Prague after defeating Czech Zuzana Ondraskova, 67(6) 06 63, Wednesday to establish a matchup with No.8 seed Alona Bondarenko. The Ukrainian Bondarenko defeated Melinda Czink, 26 60 62, to reach her fourth career Tour quarterfinal.

The field is wide open after the top two seeds made early exits on Monday and Tuesday. No.1 Marion Bartoli lost to Estonian Kaia Kanepi, 6-7(5) 6-3 6-2, and No.2 Lucie Safarova dropped a 6-7(3) 6-4 64- nail-biter to Magdalena Rybarikova.

No.4 seed Emilie Loit will play Croatian Karolina Sprem on Thursday, while No.5 Samantha Stosur will face Japan's Akiko Morigami, who eased past wild card Barbora Strycova, 6-3 6-1, on Wednesday.

Also victorious on Wednesday was No.6 Maria Elena Camerin, a 7-5 6-4 winner over American Meghann Shaughnessy.

Returning to doubles action on Thursday will be American Martina Navratilova. After 20 years of not playing in her former home country, the winner of 58 Grand Slam titles won her first match with Czech partner Strycova on Tuesday and will next take on Americans Ashley Harkleroad and Bethanie Mattek. Navratilova last played in Prague in the final of the 1986 Fed Cup when she helped the US team to victory.