WTA

• Pironkova knocked out in Istanbul

  Istanbul,Turkey (SportsNetwork) -Wimbledon semifinalistTsvetana Pironkova was a second-round upset victim Wednesday at the $220,000 Istanbul Cup hardcourt tennis event.

  Russian-born Aussie Anastasia Rodionova upended the fifth-seeded Pironkova in 6-1, 3-6, 6-2 fashion on Day 3 here. Earlier this month, Pironkova became the first-ever Bulgarian to reach a Grand Slam semifinal at the All England Club.

  Sixth-seededGerman Andrea Petkovic avoided an upset and reached the quarterfinals by outlasting Russian qualifier Ekaterina Makarova 7-6 (7-5), 5-7, 6-3.

  Unseeded defending Istanbul titlist Vera Dushevina continued her winning ways at this tournament, as she got past Latvian Anastasija Sevastova 6-3, 6-7 (8-10), 6-2 on Wednesday. The Russian Dushevina doused Czech Lucie Hradecka in last year's finale.

  One other second-rounder saw Russian Elena Vesnina vault past Swiss Stefanie Voegele 6-3, 6-2.

  On Thursday, French Open champion Francesca Schiavone will play her second- round match against Brit Elena Baltacha. Schiavone, this week's top seed, became the first-ever Italian woman to capture a Grand Slam title, which she did in Paris in June.

  07/28 14:33:53 ET