Tennis-Fit-again Bartoli reaches Linz quarters

By Barry Wood

LINZ, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Marion Bartoli overwhelmed Austrian Tamira Paszek 6-2 6-1 to reach the quarter-finals of the Linz Open on Thursday and showed no ill effects from the knee injury that forced her retire in Zurich last week.

She gave up just one point on serve in the first set, and after breaking to lead 3-2 her 16-year-old opponent's brief challenge disintegrated.

"My knee was not 100 percent but still okay and I was able to play," French third seed Bartoli told reporters.

"I feel sometimes a little pain especially when I have to take a hard step on my left foot, so I tried not to hit too hard and just put the ball to the right spot."

Second seed Daniela Hantuchova was in buoyant mood after disposing of Argentina's Gisela Dulko 6-3 6-1.

One break decided the first set after Dulko double-faulted on game point and went on to lose her serve at 1-1.

After Dulko held for 1-0 in the second set the Slovak took total control, surrendering just five more points.

"I felt really, really good," said Hantuchova. "The first set I was rushing too much and went for some shots I shouldn't have really gone for, but in the second set I calmed down and was patient. I made it easier for myself by making sure I was there for every point."