Tauziat stays on course for win

Tauziat reached the Wimbledon final in 1999

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Nathalie Tauziat eased into the quarter-finals at the DFS Classic at Edgbaston with a straight sets win over Alexandra Stevenson.

Tauziat, in her final season on the main tour, celebrated being made an honourary life member at the club she has graced for 15 years with a 6-3 6-3 win.

"I didn't play my best match on grass but it was enough and my return was the key to the win," Tauziat said.

Ahl enjoyed her best showing in a WTA event

In windy conditions, the American took an early advantage by breaking Tauziat's first service game before the Frenchwoman found her range with an array of accurate groundstrokes.

Stevenson found no rhythm with her powerful serve and she faced a break point in every one of her second set service games.

Tauziat secured a decisive break in the sixth game of the second set before serving out for victory.

The world number eight will now meet Anne Kremer, conqueror of the last remaining Briton Lucie Ahl.

Ahl, playing the third round of a WTA Tour event for the first time, was easily beaten by the world number 31 from Luxembourg 6- 6-0.

It's been a good week but I'm not satisfied with it

  Lucie Ahl

But the Briton was pleased with her performance in Birmingham.

"I learnt a lot this week which I'll take into next week at Eastbourne.

"I've competed in three matches and won two against players I want to be playing against. It's been a good week but I'm not satisfied with it," Ahl said.

Elsewhere last year's losing finalist Tamarine Tanasugarn joined the growing list of seeded casualties.

The fifth-seeded Thai was easily cast aside by American Kristina Brandi 6-2 7-5.

Ninth seed Cara Black of Zimbabwe also lost a tough three set battle to France's Virginie Razzano 6-3 6-7 7-6.

Alicia Molik of Australia failed to capitalise on her shock win over Jelena Dokic on Wednesday and was beaten 6-7 6-2 7-6 by Dutchwoman Miriam Oremans.

Third round:

Nathalie Tauziat (Fra, 1) bt Alexandra Stevenson (USA) 6-3 6-3
Elena Likhovtseva (Rus, 7) bt Tina Pisnik (Slo) 4-6 6-4 6-3
Miriam Oremans (Ned) bt AAlicia Molik (Aus) 6-7 (10-8) 6-2 7-6 (7-4)
Virginie Razzano (Fra) bt Cara Black (Zim, 9) 6-3 6-7 (7-4) 7-6 (7-3)
Kristina Brandi (USA) bt Tamarine Tanasugarn (Tha, 5) 6-2 7-5
Daniela Hantuchova (Svk) bt Nicole Pratt (Aus) 6-4 6-2
Anne Kremer (Lux) bt Lucy Ahl (GB) 6-3 6-0
Lisa Raymond (USA) bt Anastasia Myskina (Rus) 1-6 6-2 7-6 (7-5)

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