Muhammad advances to quarterfinals at Las Vegas Open

Justin M. Bowen

Asia Muhammad chases a forehand against Heidi El-Tabakh on Wednesday during the Lexus of Las Vegas Open at Red Rock Country Club. Muhammad won that match as well as her second round match Thursday for a spot in the quarterfinals.

By Steve Silver

Friday, Oct. 2, 2009 | 1 a.m.

Henderson native Asia Muhammad is one step closer to pulling off a championship homecoming.

Muhammad overcame a two-game deficit in the first set to knock off Lauren Albanese 7-6(4), 6-0 Thursday at the Lexus of Las Vegas Open at the Red Rock Country Club.

After falling behind 4-2 in the opening set, Muhammad rallied to win the set in a tiebreaker. She then swiftly captured a spot in the quarterfinals with a 6-0 second set victor.

Muhammad will next face the No. 3 seed, Regina Kulikova of Russia, at 4 p.m. Friday. Kulikova defeated Anastasia Pivovarova 6-0, 6-3 in her second round match Thursday.

Despite a sore ankle, Muhammad returned the court after singles victory for a quarterfinals doubles match.

Her and partner Coco Vandeweghe dropped Albanese and Madison Brengle 6-4, 6-3 to earn a spot in Saturday's semi-finals.

Aside from Muhammad's continued success in her backyard tournament, former top-40 star Mirjana Lucic also drew a crowd as she outlasted Meng Yuan 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 for a trip to the quarterfinals.

Lucic will face Lindsay Lee-Waters at 11 a.m. Friday.

Thursday's complete results are as follows:

Singles – Second round

Regina Kulikova (RUS) [3] def. Anastasia Pivovarova (RUS), 6-0, 6-3

Madison Brengle (USA) [6] def. Maria-Fernanda Alvarez-Teran (BOL), 6-0, 6-0

Lindsay Lee-Waters (USA) def. Monique Adamczak (AUS) [4], 7-6(2), 6-7(5), 6-3

Asia Muhammad (USA) def. Lauren Albanese (USA), 7-6(4), 6-0

Aniko Kapros (HUN) def. Varvara Lepchenko (USA) [1], 6-4, 6-3

Mirjana Lucic (CRO) def. Meng Yuan (CHN), 6-4, 3-6, 7-5

Shenay Perry (USA) [2] def. Gabriela Paz (VEN), 6-1, 6-2

Lilia Osterloh (USA) [8] def. Jorgelina Cravero (ARG), 4-6, 6-4, 6-0

Doubles - Quarterfinals

Kimberly Couts (USA) / Lindsay Lee-Waters (USA) def. Marie-Eve Pelletier (CAN) / Mashona Washington (USA) [1], 6-4, 6-7(2) [10-5]

Asia Muhammad (USA) / Coco Vandeweghe (USA) def. Lauren Albanese (USA) / Madison Brengle (USA), 6-4, 6-3

Aniko Kapros (HUN) / Agustina Lepore (ARG) def. Christina Fusano (USA) / Shikha Uberoi (IND), 3-6, 6-2 [13-11]

Ana Jovanovic (SRB) / Anna Tatishvili (GEO) def. Maria-Fernanda Alves (BRA) / Anastasia Pivovarova (RUS), 6-4, 6-4

Friday’s schedule

Stadium Court

11 a.m. Lindsay Lee-Waters (USA) vs. Mirjana Lucic (CRO)

12:30 p.m. Lilia Osterloh (USA) [8] vs. Shenay Perry (USA) [2]

2 p.m. Kimberly Couts (USA) / Lindsay Lee-Waters (USA) vs. Ana Jovanovic (SRB) / Anna Tatishvili (GEO)

4 p.m. Asia Muhammad (USA) vs. Regina Kulikova (RUS) [3]

Court 5

Noon Aniko Kapros (HUN) vs. Madison Brengle (USA) [6]