Sharapova survives tough test from Krajicek

Neither the sun nor wind nor Michaella Krajicek could beat Maria Sharapova, although all three certainly tried.

Sharapova survived a nearly three-hour struggle, winning 7-6 (4), 6-7 (3), 6-4 on her third match point Thursday to reach the quarterfinals of the East West Bank Classic.

"Serving against the wind and playing against the wind with that sun, especially in the beginning, was pretty difficult," she said. "It definitely felt like a break-fest out there."

Sharapova, the top seed, beat Krajicek for the second time this year. The Russian struggled with her serve before eventually winning the final three games of the match.

"It's one of those days and you're just happy to get a W," she said. "I felt like I was a little slow and didn't see the ball. I was a step late to everything."

Sharapova committed forehand errors on her first two match points before she returned Krajicek's serve with a crosscourt backhand on the third.

"She was starting to serve really well. Some of those second serves she had on match point were over 100 mph," Sharapova said.

The Russian is coming off a title in last week's tournament near San Diego. She will defend her U.S. Open championship in two weeks.

"This is all the preparation that goes into a Grand Slam," she said. "You want to be able to take that confidence and bring it into the Open."

In the quarters to be played on Friday, Maria will face #9 seed and defending champion Elena Dementieva of Russia.  Maria has played Dementieva 8 times before and leads the series 6-2.