Having cruised through the first three rounds, Sharapova needed her best tennis to contain the hard-hitting Indian before eventually overwhelming her 6-2 6-1 to reach the quarter-finals for the first time.
The Russian was at times out-hit by fellow 18-year-old Mirza in the first set but the error count of the first Indian woman to reach a grand slam fourth round proved to be her undoing.
"I'm playing pretty well," said Sharapova, the 2004 Wimbledon champion. "I know it's going to get tougher and tougher from here."
Sharapova will play compatriot and ninth seed Nadia Petrova in the last eight, a repeat of their Wimbledon quarter-final this year which Sharapova won in straight sets.
"She is very similar to Sania, with a big serve and a big game. I'll have to be ready," said Sharapova.
Petrova, who has never won a tour title, reached the quarter-finals for the second consecutive year with a 7-6 7-5 victory over temperamental Czech 16-year-old Nicole Vaidisova.
September 5th, 2005
Posted by: Marco
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