Vika's Ankle Agony; Kirilenko Reaches Quarters at Indian Wells

The final eight on the women's side at the BNP Paribas Open is set. Victoria Azarenka overcame a sore ankle while Maria Kirilenko earned a big win.

By Erik Gudris

(March 12th, 2013) -- The final eight on the women's side at the BNP Paribas Open was finalized on Tuesday with all the players competing in fourth round action.

Top seed Victoria Azarenka appeared to struggle with her body as well as against her opponent Urzsula Radwanska. Late in the first set, Azarenka appeared on the verge of tears but didn't stop playing despite grasping at her ankle a few times.

Radwanska, serving to the stay in the set at 3-5, doubled fault twice in a row to hand Azarenka a 6-3 advantage.

Azarenka secured a break of serve in the second set and eventually went up 4-1, but that didn't alleviate the permanent look of concern on her face. But it didn't stop her from wrapping up a 6-3, 6-1 win in under 90 minutes.

In her post-match press conference, Azarenka admitted she was dealing with a cold and a lingering ankle issue she's had for some time now. But the former No. 1 tried to look on the bright side.

"It was pretty obvious I wasn't feeling that well," Azarenka told WTA.com. "My ankle was bothering me, it's been bothering me for a while, and it hasn't really been getting better. "But on the bright side, I won the match today.

Azarenka will next face Caroline Wozniacki. In the night match, Wozniacki took on Nadia Petrova who served for the first set at 5-4. But Petrova tossed in three double faults to allow Wozniacki back into the set. Wozniacki went on to win 7-6(3), 6-3 to set up her first meeting versus Azarenka since they last met in the quarters of Indian Wells two years ago.

Sharapova, Kvitova Advance as Kirilenko Knocks Out Radwanska

No. 2 seed Maria Sharapova once again was tested in a first set by a Spaniard but this time by Lara Arruabarrena-Veci. The Spaniard was only a few points away from the first set before Sharapova rallied to win the next nine games in row en route to a 7-5, 6-0 win.

Next up for Sharapova is Sara Errani whose steady baseline game proved too much for Marion Bartoli. Errani advanced in easy fashion 6-3, 6-2.

Petra Kvitova reached a milestone of sorts in her career as she advanced to her first ever quarterfinal at Indian Wells. Kvitova beat fellow Czech Klara Zakopalova for the first time in three meetings 6-2, 6-3.

In the first real big upset of the event, Russia's Maria Kirilenko survived yet another three set match as she took out No. 3 seed Agnieszka Radwanska 6-1, 3-6, 7-5. Kirilenko will now face Kvitova in the quarterfinals.

The final quarterfinal spot was booked by No. 4 seed Angelique Kerber who dismissed qualifier Garbine Muguruza 6-4, 7-5. Kerber will now face No. 7 seed Sam Stosur who overcame Mona Barthel 4-6, 6-2, 6-3.

(Photo Credit: Corleve)