Zvonareva rolls back the years to reach Al Habtoor Challenge quarters

Russian veteran Vera Zvonareva rolled back the years in style with a fashionable 6-1, 6-2 win over qualifier Tereza Martincova and advance to the quarterfinals of the 28th Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge at the Habtoor Grand Resort, on Wednesday.

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Also making it to the last eight stages of the singles competition, but in contrasting style, was Polina latcenko of Russia, China’s Xinyu Gao and Arantxa Rus of The Netherlands.

Iatcenko and 17-year-old Vendula Valdmannova were tied 6-6 in the first set when the fast-improving Dutch girl was forced to retire after slipping while making a backhand return injuring her left knee, while seventh-seeded Dutch girl Rus blew away countrywoman and former runner-up Arianne Hartono 6-1, 6-2 before Gao dug in deep for a 7-6 (6), 6-2 win over Elena Pridankina.

But, the afternoon was all about former world number two Zvonareva as the 41-year-old made best use of the wild card she was offered by the organisers of this annual tournament that is being held here since 1998.