As players approach the quarterfinals of the U. S. Open, even the experienced ones have difficulty not looking ahead. It seems like Jelena Jankovic, the fourth seed at the U.S. Open, was the first victim of this devilish temptation.

Six of the top thirteen seeds fell in Cincinnati on Thursday but two Belgians and two other former world number ones survived the day to play in Friday’s quarterfinals.

At the Mercury Insurance Open in San Diego, the Round of Sixteen play begins today as two Russians, Vera Zvonareva and Svetlana Kuznetsova, battled to victory on Tuesday.

Saturday was the women’s tour at its best with tight matches and stirring comebacks in just about every quarterfinal match.

At the Sony Ericsson Bank of the West Classic, the surviving eight players will be vying for four semifinal spots today.

Venus Williams rolled and Vera Zvonareva crushed number 15, Yanina Wckmayer, but all eyes were focused on Belgian’s two former number ones who are now ready to clash in Monday’s Round of Sixteen.

For the most part, the seeds have protected their Birmingham turf except for one blonde American upstart’s dismissal of 3rd seeded Belgian Yanina Wickmayer.

Maria, Maria, Maria! Welcome back! The Russian photo op is showing signs of recovery. On Thursday, the second seed notched not one but two wins to make the quarterfinals.

The cream is rising to the top at the Sony Ericsson Miami Open. Second seed Princess Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark withstood an early match challenge from Russian glamour girl Maria kirilenko, the 32 seed, 1-6, 6-1, 6-4 to lead a bevy of highly seeded players into the round of 16.

After a disappointing performance at Indian Wells, the top three Belgian women look poised to make a move at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami. Yanina Wickmayer (12), Kim Clijsters (14) and Justine Henin cannot be happy after rusty outings last week.