Maria Sharapova beat Li Na of China 6-2, 6-4 Thursday to reach the quarterfinals of the Birmingham Classic women's tennis tournament in England.

Sharapova broke Li's serve twice early in the first set and then closed her out after she double-faulted with the score 4-4.

The 2004 Wimbledon champion looked more comfortable on grass as she sought a third straight win at the Wimbledon warmup.

"I was definitely better than in my first match, and I think I will keep improving," Sharapova said. "I am getting a bit of rhythm. The bounce is low and you have to bend your knees."

Sharapova will face Mara Santangelo of Italy for a spot in the semifinals. Santangelo defeated Ai Sugiyama 7-6, 6-4.

In other matches, Francesca Schiavone of Italy beat Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria 3-6, 6-3, 6-1, and American Jamea Jackson downed Jelena Jankovic of Serbia-Montenegro, 6-4, 0-6, 7-5. American Meilen Tu defeated Sania Mirza of India 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (3).

(AP via China Daily June 16, 2006)