Pierce returns to Wimbledon quarterfinals

Mary Pierce reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals for the first time in nine years Monday by beating Flavia Pennetta 6-3, 6-1.

Mary Pierce reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals for the first time in nine years Monday by beating Flavia Pennetta 6-3, 6-1.

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The No. 12-seeded Pierce, runner-up to Justine Henin-Hardenne at the French Open, lost only 10 points on serve and never faced a break point. Pennetta, playing in the fourth round at a major event for the first time, had just 11 winners and 33 unforced errors.

Third-seeded Amelie Mauresmo, a two-time semifinalist, defeated No. 13 Elena Likhovtseva for the fifth time in a row, 6-4, 6-0.

At 30, Pierce has staged a comeback from injuries to her shoulder, back, ankle and abdomen that sent her tumbling from the top 10 and out of the top 200. The two-time Grand Slam champion reached the final eight at just one major in 2001-04 but has now done it for the 13th time in her career.

Pierce's best showing in nine previous appearances at Wimbledon came in 1996, when she lost in the quarterfinals.