Sharapova, Clijsters roll into Toronto quarters

Former World No 1 Maria Sharapova shrugged off a rain delay to oust seventh-seeded fellow Russian Vera Zvonareva 6-2, 7-6 (7/3).

"I thought it was a step up, definitely," said Sharapova, who is battling back after a shoulder injury sidelined her for 10 months.

"I had to (play) against somebody that I've had trouble against in the past who I usually play three sets against. It was good to finish the match in two, but I really had no choice. I had to pick it up."

Zvonareva appeared poised to turn the tables when she won four straight games in the second set.

"I think this is definitely a great result," Sharapova said. "I've already played against three great opponents and I'm going to play another opponent tomorrow and you just hope that with each match you can raise your level and play better."

Another comeback kid, Kim Clijsters, was unable to build on an early lead, getting off to a fast start against Jelena Jankovic before the fifth-seeded Serb - winner last week in Cincinnati - steadied to win 1-6, 6-3, 7-5.

Fourth-seed Russian Elena Dementieva, the 2008 Olympic gold medallist, beat Israeli Shahar Peer 6-1, 1-6, 6-4.

In the quarter-finals Dementieva will face Australian Samantha Stosur, a 6-3, 6-1 winner over France's Virginie Razzano.