Quarterfinal-Minded: Petkovic, Keys Keep Rolling

Technically, Andrea Petkovic has never lost a match at the Volvo Car Open.

MORE: Jankovic Withdraws | Friday Schedule | Updated Draws | Tickets 

The 2014 champion won again on Thursday, her 10th career victory in Charleston coming in the form of a 6-4, 6-4 third-round effort against American Madison Brengle.

Petkovic’s record can remain pristine on Daniel Island thanks to a withdrawal prior to her third round match against Caroline Wozniacki in 2013, meaning that “L” wasn’t a played-out match, and also meaning “Petko” is still perfect at the Cup.

“I’m very uptight and I’m a very stiff German most of the time, so being relaxed and being here with my family… they relax me,” the No. 3 seed said of her win streak in Charleston. “I don’t think about tennis all the time, and I’m really enjoying my life; and that’s something that I sometimes forget during the hard weeks on the tour.”

American No. 7 seed Madison Keys continued her hot form on Thursday, the 20 year old taking down Andreea Mitu 6-2, 6-0. Keys has dropped just five games en route to the quarterfinals. It’s there that the American will meet fellow rising star Lauren Davis, a winner against Mona Barthel, the German retiring down 6-4, 3-0 vs. the Ohio native. 

“I love the tournament,” said Davis, who’s 21. “This is an amazing tournament (and) I love the support. I feel really comfortable on the clay (and) I feel like I’m sliding well and that my game really suits it well… I’m just really enjoying myself.”

Thursday all third round matches were played out, seeing wins from No. 4 seed Sara Errani, No. 5 Angelique Kerber and qualifier Lucie Hradecka. Hradecka beat No. 8 Caroline Garcia in a seesaw three-set battle on Billie Jean King Stadium Court, denying the Frenchwoman a spot in the quarterfinals.

There will be no quarterfinal for former Cup champion Jelena Jankovic, either. The Serbian No. 6 seed withdrew on Thursday due to a right foot injury, sending qualifier Danka Kovinic into the last eight. Kovinic now stacks up against Petkovic, the top remaining seed.

Kerber could face the winner of that match, the German quietly making her way through the draw. Thursday she dropped just three games in a 6-3, 6-0 win over Lara Arruabarrena. She faces No. 13 seed Irina-Camelia Begu in the quarterfinals.