TENNIS in DEPTH.

Russian Nadia Petrova gained her second consecutive monumental victory at the Australian Open, this time knocking off third-seeded countrywoman Svetlana Kuznetsova, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 to reach the quarterfinals.

The 19th-seeded Petrova is into the round-of-eight for the second time in Melbourne, also doing so in 2006. This was just the second career victory against Kuznetsova (2-5).

On Friday, Petrova dealt Belgian Kim Clijsters her worst career defeat in 6-0, 6-1 fashion in under an hour.

“Today was similar. I felt like my motivation, my concentration was on the same level,” Petrova said. “But today there were a little more unforced errors than against Kim. But I fought hard. I chased every single ball possible. You know, I end up winning it.”

Sunday’s victory over Kuznetsova was more conventional in over two hours. Kuznetsova was hurt by making 52 unforced errors. Kuznetsova, the reigning French Open champ and the 2004 U.S. Open winner, has never made it past the quarterfinals in Melbourne.

“I think she played a good third set,” Kuznetsova admitted. “But I still gave it to her.”

Also reaching the quarterfinals was China’s Zheng Jie, who upended 31st seed Alona Bondarenko of the Ukraine, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4. This is the best result for Zheng in Melbourne. Her career best showing in a Grand Slam was a semifinal appearance at Wimbledon in 2008.

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