Sharapova survives tough test from Krajicek

LOS ANGELES, Aug 10 (Reuters) Maria Sharapova overcame a stern challenge from Michaella Krajicek to reach the Los Angeles Classic quarter-finals with a 7-6 6-7 6-4 victory.

The top seed needed nearly three hours to see off the 18-year-old Dutchwoman, losing her serve nine times in the match.

Krajicek also had trouble serving into the wind and sun and Sharapova broke her 10 times.

''It felt like a break-fest,'' Sharapova told reporters. ''Back and forth. I felt like I was going to the Death Eaters and they were going to eat me up.'' Krajicek, who reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals, got up a break at 4-3 in the third set but was immediately broken back.

''I might have missed a few opportunities, but against a player like Maria, it's tough because she gives you just a few,'' Krajicek said.

Sharapova held off two break points with forehand winners and clinched the match on her third match point with a crosscourt backhand service return winner.

DEMENTIEVA NEXT ''It's good to be in different situations where you have to pull it out and didn't play your best,'' said Sharapova, who next faces fellow Russian Elena Dementieva.

The defending champion, who beat Sharapova in the semi-finals here last year, advanced when fifth seed Daniela Hantuchova retired with a respiratory infection trailing 6-3 4-1.

Hantuchova became the third player to be struck by illness at the tournament, second seed Jelena Jankovic and Greece's Eleni Daniilidou suffering similar ailments.

''I didn't think I could play this morning but it's not nice for the fans when the players don't even try,'' Hantuchova said.

Serbia's Jankovic romped to a 6-2 6-1 victory over Austria's Sybille Bammer, while her compatriot, third seed Ana Ivanovic advanced easily with a 6-2 6-2 victory over Czech Lucie Safarova.

''See what Serbian tennis does, we get out of here quickly,'' said Jankovic, who will face Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.

Ivanovic will face Russia's Maria Kirilenko, who crushed Argentina's Gisela Dulko 6-3 6-4.

REUTERS TB KN1432