Elena Dementieva held off a determined challenge from Tatiana Golovin to reach the quarter-finals of the Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells on Tuesday.
The Russian battled to a 2-6 6-4 6-4 win over the French teenager and faces compatriot Svetlana Kuznetsova next.
Maria Sharapova had to come from one set down to beat Colombia's Fabiolo Zuluaga 4-6 6-2 7-5.
The world number three led 5-2 in the third set, but squandered four match points before completing her victory.
US Open champion Kuznetsova was too strong for Japan's Rika Fujiwara, coming through 6-3 6-2.
Former Indian Wells champion Kim Clijsters stormed past Evgenia Linetskaya 6-2 6-1, while in-form Conchita Martinez saw off Maria Kirilenko 7-5 6-3.