Top-seeded Pennetta advances in Palermo

Top-seeded Flavia Pennetta advanced to the Palermo International quarterfinals with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Lourdes Dominguez Lino on Wednesday. The Italian improved her record on clay this season to 19-4, including titles this year in Vina del Mar, Chile, and Acapulco, Mexico, plus a win over Venus Williams at the French Open. Also, fourth-seeded Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain overcame a rough start before eliminating Galina Voskoboeva of Russia 1-6, 6-3, 6-1; and No. 5 Sara Errani of Italy also had some early problems in a 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 win over Julia Vakulenko of Ukraine. In first-round action, four-time champion Anabel Medina Garrigues appeared comfortable with a 6-0, 6-4 win over Alla Kudryavtseva of Russia; Italian wild card Tathiana Garbin beat Yuliana Fedak of Ukraine 6-2, 7-5; and Nuria Llagostera Vives of Spain ousted... [read full story]