Vaidisova and Schnyder ease into Stanford quarter-finals

STANFORD, Ca., July 28 (Reuters) Czech teenager Nicole Vaidisova trounced Austria's Sylvie Bammer 6-1 6-4 to reach the Bank of the West Classic quarter-finals.

The third seed, who beat world number one Amelie Mauresmo and five-times grand slam Venus Williams at this year's French Open, encountered few problems against the left-handed Bammer yesterday.

''It's my first match on hard courts this summer and I played pretty well from the start,'' said Vaidisova, who held serve throughout the match. ''I got in a good rhythm early and stayed in control.'' The 12th-ranked Vaidisova next faces Australian Samantha Stosur as she continues her bid for a seventh career title.

''That would be really nice, but right now I'm in the quarter-finals and have a long way to go,'' the 17-year-old said.

Second seed Patty Schnyder also advanced, knocking out qualifier Akiko Morigami 6-1 6-4.

The Swiss left-hander, world number eight, confused Morigami with variations of pace and spin.

''On these fast surfaces, it's really important to move well and get a high percentage of your first serves in,'' said Schnyder, who next faces American Jill Craybas. ''Today was all about winning and getting to the next round.'' Fourth seed Anna-Lena Groenefeld of Germany knocked out Russian qualifier Vasilisa Bardina 6-3 7-5.

''I need to improve my service speed and more consistency and try to have a good first shot and finish at the net,'' said Groenefeld who will play France's Tatiana Golovin in the last eight.

''Today I had so many chances at the net and I need to improve on that tomorrow.'' Russian Vera Zvonareva, who won the title last week in Cincinnati, continued her fine form with a 7-6 6-0 victory over France's Nathalie Dechy.

Zvonareva will play top seed Kim Clijsters in the quarter-finals.

REUTERS PM DS1051