Argentina's Gisela Dulko capitalized on an ailing Svetlana Kuznetsova and beat the third-seeded Russian 7-6 (3), 7-6 (8) Thursday in the third round of the Rogers Cup.
Bothered by lower back pain, it appeared Kuznetsova would be unable to finish.
"It's hurting very much. I think I should have stopped playing," said Kuznetsova. "But when the match is so close, it's so difficult just to say go, and that's it."
No. 2 seed Amelie Mauresmo of France cruised by Conchita Martinez of Spain, 6-0, 6-2, to advance to the quarterfinals "Obviously, just not spending too much time on the court is an advantage when you play these kind of tournaments, when you have to go out every day," Mauresmo said.
In other matches fourth-seeded Belgian Justine Henin-Hardenne eliminated China's Jie Zheng, 6-2, 6-4. Henin-Hardenne will next play the Czech Republic's Nicole Vaidisova, who beat countrywoman Hana Sromova 6-2, 6-2.
Nadia Petrova of Russia advanced after Li Na of China retired with the score at 6-2, 3-0; Anastasia Myskina defeated Japan's Shinobu Asagoe 7-6 (5), 7-5. Myskina will play Dulko in the quarterfinals.
Dulko, ranked 35th, forced Kuznetsova several times to lunge for crosscourt shots. Trailing 6-5 in the first set, Kuznetsova asked a trainer to massage her back. She walked gingerly back onto the court, clutching her back and grimacing.
"I said, OK, I'll play two more games and see what's going on," she said.
"I couldn't play my backhand at all. My forehand, I can move only the hand. I cannot turn my body. I could run more or less.
"But I just couldn't take this decision to pull out. I never did it in my life."
Between sets, the Russian headed for the locker room, returning in a long-sleeve shirt. She seemed to improve midway through the second set, but Dulko persisted and closed the match with a blistering forehand to reach the quarterfinals.
"My game plan was to move her a little bit," Dulko said. "I think I did it pretty well. We both ran a lot. I think it was a tough match for both of us."
Kuznetsova became the first Russian woman to win the US Open singles title last year, beating Elena Dementieva in the all-Russian final.
In other matches fourth-seeded Belgian Justine Henin-Hardenne eliminated China's Jie Zheng, 6-2, 6-4. Henin-Hardenne will next play the Czech Republic's Nicole Vaidisova, who beat countrywoman Hana Sromova 6-2, 6-2.
Nadia Petrova of Russia advanced after Li Na of China retired with the score at 6-2, 3-0; Anastasia Myskina defeated Japan's Shinobu Asagoe 7-6 (5), 7-5. Myskina will play Dulko in the quarterfinals.
Injuries have become the theme at the Rogers Cup, and tournament directors received more bad news Thursday when 12th-seeded Ana Ivanovic withdrew because of a strained right chest muscle.
Ivanovic was scheduled to play Kim Clijsters of Belgium on Thursday afternoon. Clijsters, the No. 7 seed, walked into the quarterfinals, where she'll play 14th-seeded Flavia Pennetta of Italy. Pennetta advanced when Serena Williams pulled out Wednesday
Roger Federer, gathering momentum with every match, advanced to the quarterfinals of the US$2.45 million tournament by beating Olivier Rochus 6-3, 6-4.
Jose Acasuso of Argentina beat Luis Horna of Peru 7-6 (5), 7-5 in the other late match and will face Federer today.
Five of the top six seeds remain.
"He was just too good," Rochus said. "If you are going to beat him, you have to beat him in the first round. He gets better the more matches he plays.''
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