Sunday, October 5 2008 -- October 2, 2008 - World number three Russian player, Dinara Safina, eventually defeated Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria with a 6-1 7-6 at the Stuttgart Grand Prix last Thursday. Safina played a stiffer match during the second round at the indoor stadium after she experienced a first-round bye from Pironkova.

Venus Williams won over Kateryna Bondarenko, at the second round match in a 6-4 6-2 win. Williams claimed that she felt completely comfortable with the tournament but is still apt to improving much on it.

Safina’s victory will lead her to play against Venus Williams at the quarter-fnals. Safina and Williams will meet for the first time in the courts. They have never played with each other before but both expressed their anticipation on the match game.

Alona Bondarenko, Kateryna’s sister was brushed aside by Serb Jelena Jankovic with a 6-2 6-0 score. Jankovic made a successful win at the quarter finals as well and will play against Vera Zvonareva of Russia to claim a place at the semi finals.

Jankovic will eventually replace top seed Serena Williams, this year’s U.S. Open champion, as the world number one. Jankovic’s victory advanced her rank after Williams was defeated by Li Na of China.

On the other hand, world number four Elena Dementieva of Russia won a game over Victoria Azarenka of Belarus at the last remaining games of the quarter-final last Friday.