Safina returns with a win in Germany

Safina, whose play has been limited by back problems, topped Agnes Szavay in a see-saw 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 6-0. Safina dominated the third set after fighting through five double faults and five service breaks in the first two sets in advancing to the clay-court tournament's quarterfinals.

Lucie Safarova knocked off top-seeded and world No. 2 Caroline Wozniacki 6-4, 6-4 earlier Thursday. Safarova only won eight more points (58-50) over the course of the match but didn't face a break point.

Justine Henin continued her post-retirement comeback with a 6-3, 7-5 win over eighth-seeded Yanina Wickmayer in the day's other marquee match.

No. 4 seeded Jelena Jankovic breezed by Tsvetana Pironkova 6-2, 6-2; sixth-seeded Victoria Azarenka was defeated by Anna Lapushchenkova 6-3, 6-3; and seventh-seeded Samantha Stosur took a 3-6, 6-0, 6-2 win over Alexandra Dulgheru in the other second-round matches.

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