Safina beats qualifier Pervak to advance to quarterfinals at Slovenia Open

Safina reaches quarterfinals at Slovenia Open

PORTOROZ, Slovenia — Top-ranked Dinara Safina has cruised into the quarterfinals of the Slovenia Open by routing fellow Russian Ksenia Pervak 6-1, 6-2.

Safina was playing her first tournament since losing to Venus Williams in the Wimbledon semifinals. She needed just 1 hour, 17 minutes on Wednesday to oust the 18-year-old qualifier.

Safina saved three break points in the third game of the first set and cruised from there, though Pervak did manage a break to make it 4-2 in the second.

Safina will next face either Marina Elena Camerin of Italy or seventh-seeded Vera Dushevina of Russia, who played later.

Also Wednesday, sixth-seeded Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic was upset by Stefanie Voegele of Switzerland 7-5, 2-6, 6-3.