While the American found her path an easy one, fourth-seeded Swiss player Patty Schnyder fell 6-7 (3-7) 4-6 to another young star, Spain's Magui Serna.

All the other remaining seeds progressed to the quarter-finals with second-seeded Monica Seles ousting Barbara Schett of Austria 6-3 6-4.

Sampras on fire

Pete Sampras bounced back to top form at the Lyon Grand Prix today, firing 10 aces in a decisive 6-2 6-4 second-round win over Australia's Todd Woodbridge.

The World No 1, who struggled to beat compatriot Todd Martin in yesterday's first round, was back to his efficient best as he reached the quarterfinals of the $750,000 event.

Third seed Marcelo Rios also moved easily to the last eight, beating Nicolas Escude of France 6-2 6-3 in 59 minutes. In other matches, Spain's Alex Corretja, looking for the form thattook him to this year's French Open final, survived a tough second-set scare to beat Romania's Andrei Pavel 6-4 2-6 6-3.

Agassi cruises ostrava: Andre Agassi strolled past Sweden's Magnus Norman into the quarter-finals of the Czech Indoors yesterday but defending champion Karol Kucera crashed out. Agassi beat the 1997 runner-up Norman 6-2 7-5.

Fourth seed Yevgeny Kafelnikov appeared to be in control against Martin Damm of the Czech Republic, winning the first set 6-3, before eventually losing in three sets 3-6 6-3 6-2.