The Russian improved her record against the eighth-seeded
Cornet to 3-0.
Safina will play Russia's Anastasia Pivovarova in her
second straight quarterfinal after reaching the last eight of the Andalucia
Tennis Experience, where she retied after lower back pains.
Pivovarova upset second-seeded Yaroslava Shvedova of
Kazakhstan 6-2, 7-6 (5), meaning both top seeds are out following Aravane
Rezai's second-round exit on Wednesday.
Pivovarova double-faulted six times on her stuttering
serve, but broke her opponent five times in the match.
Alberta
Brianti of Italy also advanced to the last eight after beating Russia's Ksenia
Pervak 7-5, 6-2. She will face Melanie Oudin of the United States, who advanced
with a walkover win after Slovenia's Polona Hercog withdrew with a right ankle
injury.
