Australian Astra Sharma has reached the fourth WTA-level singles quarterfinal of her career - and her third this season.
The 25-year-old continued her impressive 2021 form to record a 6-4 7-5 victory against Russian Natalia Vikhlyantseva in second-round action at a WTA 250 tournament in Palermo.
Sharma had too much firepower in the one-hour and 47-minute battle, serving four aces and winning 71 per cent of points on her opponent's second serve.
World No.121-ranked Sharma sets up a quarterfinal showdown with top-seeded American Danielle Collins, who eliminated Australia's Maddison Inglis in the second round.
Collins scored a 6-4 6-1 victory against Inglis.
Sharma has never previously played Collins, who is ranked No.44 and is a former Australian Open semifinalist.
The Aussie has a 2-1 career win-loss record in tour-level quarterfinal matches - and went onto win the title in her most recent final eight appearance, at Charleston in April.
Aussies in action - Palermo
RESULTS
Women's singles, second round
[7] Astra Sharma (AUS) d Natalia Vikhlyantseva (RUS) 6-4 7-5
[1] Danielle Collins (USA) d Maddison Inglis (AUS) 6-4 6-1
COMING UP
Women's singles, quarterfinals
[7] Astra Sharma (AUS) v [1] Danielle Collins (USA)