Petrova aims to break drought

Second seeded Russian Nadia Petrova remained on course for her first championship in 18 months after crushing American Julie Ditty 6-1 6-1 in 58 minutes in the second round of the Western & Southern Financial Group Open on Wednesday.

Petrova won 81 per cent of the points on her first serve and 71 per cent on her second while breaking Ditty five times and serving six aces.

Petrova went 8-11 to start the year and reached one quarter-final, but since making the transition to grass and then the summer hard courts, the 26-year-old has gone 15-5.

Her recent run of success was highlighted by a quarter-final appearance at Wimbledon and a runner-up effort in Eastbourne.

A seven-time champion, Petrova is considered one of the favourites in Cincinnati and her chances of winning improved on Tuesday when top seed Marion Bartoli retired in the opening round.

Once ranked as high as third two years ago, Petrova has gone without a championship since capturing the Paris indoors event in February 2007.

Third seeded countrywoman Maria Kirilenko also advanced to the quarter-finals after grinding out a 1-6 6-2 7-5 win over Canadian qualifier Stephanie Dubois.

Kirilenko, who avenged a loss to Dubois last month at the Rogers Cup, was down 3-2 and a break in the third set before bouncing back to escape with the victory.

Nathalie Dechy upset fourth seed Katarina Srebotnik of Slovenia 7-5 2-6 7-6 (7-1) to reach the last eight in two hours and 20 minutes.

Also on Wednesday, American wildcard Lilia Osterloh advanced after recording a 6-4 6-1 win over Petra Cetkovska, while Sabine Lisicki beat Camille Pin 6-3 6-4.