Russian tennis player Anna Kournikova has survived a strong challenge from Zheng Jie of China to advance to the quarterfinals at the Shanghai Open tournament in China.
The fourth-seeded Kournikova appeared to lose her composure early in the second set and fell behind 2-5, before rallying to defeat the unseeded Zheng 6-4, 7-6 on Thursday.
Kournikova will face Jelena Kostelic of Croatia in the quarterfinals Friday, after Kostelic topped compatriot Silvija Talaja, 2-6, 6-0, 6-4. Top-seeded Anna Smashnova of Israel had an easier time reaching the quarterfinals with a 6-0, 6-3 win over South Korean Cho Yoon-jeong. Smashnova will face Miho Saeki of Japan, who beat Hungary's Petra Mandula 6-7, 6-4, 6-3.