Palermo, Italy, 23 July 2021 | Leigh Rogers

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.

https://twitter.com/WTA/status/1418240990251405314?s=20

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)