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Sara Errani edges Shuai Peng in 2 tiebreakers to advance to quarterfinals at Family Circle Cup

Associated Press
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Sara Errani, of Italy, returns to Peng Shuai, of China, during the Family Circle Cup tennis tournament in Charleston, S.C., Thursday, April 3, 2014. (AP Photo/Mic Smith) (The Associated Press)

Peng Shuai, of China, returns to Sara Errani, of Italy, during the Family Circle Cup tennis tournament in Charleston, S.C., Thursday, April 3, 2014. (AP Photo/Mic Smith) (The Associated Press)

Sara Errani rallied to defeat Shuai Peng 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5) and advance to the Family Circle Cup quarterfinals.

The 11th-ranked Errani had lost her past three matches to China's Peng and appeared in trouble Thursday after trailing 6-5 in each set. Errani squandered three match points in the second-set tiebreaker until she placed a drop shot that Peng could not track down to finish it.

Daniela Hantuchova won a third-round match over Teliana Pereira in straight sets.

No. 2-seeded Jelena Jankovic, seventh-seeded Sam Stosur and 11th-seeded Venus Williams will play for spots in the quarterfinals later Thursday.

Two-time defending champion Serena Williams lost her opening match on Tuesday night.