Wimbledon-Myskina keeps alive Russian dream, Safina flops

By Pritha Sarkar
LONDON, July 1 (Reuters) - Anastasia Myskina led the Russian charge into the fourth round at Wimbledon on Saturday with a 6-3 6-4 win over Spain's Anabel Medina Garrigues.
The 2004 French Open champion was one of seven Russian women to reach the third round here but following the exit of fifth seed Svetlana Kuznetsova and Anna Chakvetadze on Friday, she was the first player from her nation to reach the last 16.
Joining ninth seed Myskina was seventh seed Elena Dementieva after she won a Russian duel with Elena Likhovtseva 7-5 6-3.
Dinara Safina, who reached her first grand slam quarter-final at the French Open last month, was not as fortunate.
The younger sister of former men's number one Marat Safin lost out on a possible meeting with top seed Amelie Mauresmo when she let a set and 4-1 advantage slip during a 3-6 7-6 6-1 defeat by Serb Ana Ivanovic.
Maria Sharapova, seeking to win her second title here following her triumph two years ago, could add to the Russian tally if she overcomes American Amy Frazier on Centre Court later on Saturday. Likhovtseva was troubled by a right ankle injury and had to take a three-minute time out after being broken in the first set to trail 5-6.
After getting her ankle heavily strapped, she was unable to prevent Dementieva from bagging the set.
But Likhovtseva refused to surrender without a fight and broke to lead 3-1 in the second set before Dementieva rallied and booked her place in the next round against Shenay Perry.