Ivanovic eases into last eight on Gold Coast

PERTH, Jan 3 (Reuters) Serbian third seed Ana Ivanovic swept aside Venezuelan Milagros Sequera 6-1 6-2 to advance to the quarter-finals of the Australian women's hardcourt championships on the Gold Coast today.

The 19-year-old world number 14, a winner in Montreal last season, gave the South American little chance in a victory that secured a last-eight encounter with Israeli fifth seed Shahar Peer.

''It's always tough in the first game of the year and the first matches but I think I'm playing some good tennis,''Ivanovic told reporters.

''I think I can beat some top players and I've shown that many times. I just need to be more consistent and do that more often.'' Peer moved through to the quarter-finals courtesy of a 6-3 6-2 win over Russia's Olga Poutchkova but she is aware the test against Ivanovic will be her toughest of the week.

''She has a good serve and she has very big shots but I think I'm good enough to win so we'll see what happens.'' Second seed Dinara Safina cruised past fellow-Russian Maria Kirilenko 6-2 7-5 and now faces home hope Samantha Stosur in the last eight after the highest-ranked Australian player beat compatriot Sophie Ferguson 6-3 6-4.

REUTERS PM HT1900