Petra Kvitova produced a dominant display to defeat Britain’s Naomi Broady 6-2 6-2 in the second round at the Aegon Classic in Birmingham.
The Czech player, who only recently returned to the WTA Tour following a knife attack at her home last year, proved too strong for the British wildcard and world No 111.
The two-time Wimbledon champion reached her first quarter-final in eight months courtesy of some powerful ground strokes and good movement around the court but appeared surprised at the thought she was one of the favourites for the tournament.
"I didn't hear that," Kvitova said. "I don't really care - it's too early," she added, mindful of this being only her fourth match since her return.
"I am here to play tennis and to play on the grass which I love."
Broady, who is enjoying a good grass-court season, defeated France's Alize Cornet on Monday and is hoping to use her upcoming Wimbledon prize money towards a new coach.
The 27-year-old is working with her father Simon but hopes to use the minimum of £35,000 to good use.
Broady said of the wildcard: "Although I was hoping to get one, you really can never be sure. I'm just so grateful that I have got one.
"A few years ago the wildcard funded me to employ my coach and that took me into the top 100, so they really do make such a big difference.
"I hope to do the same again with my prize money from this year and I'm not too far off being back inside the top 100 now anyway."
Daria Gavrilova, the ninth-seeded Australian, beat Czech Republic's Katerina Siniakova in a lengthy battle which lasted two hours twenty minutes.
Gavrilova eventually prevailed 7-5 2-6 6-4 against the rising Czech star who has already enjoyed two victories over top-10 players this year. Gavrilova could meet Kvitova in the semi-finals.
The third match of the day in Birmingham saw Ashleigh Barty progress in three sets against eighth-seeded Barbora Strycova.
The Australian won 6-3 3-6 6-1 over her Czech opponent to secure her quarter-final spot against another Czech, Lucie Safarova.
The final match of the day saw Safarova cruise to a comfortable 6-2 6-4 victory over Japan's Naomi Osaka.
Meanwhile at the Mallorca Open there were victories for Catherine Bellis and Kristyna Pliskova against Germany's Mona Barthel and Italy's Francesca Schiavone respectively.
Bellis won 4-6 6-4 6-2 to secure a quarter-final meeting with Pliskova who secured a 6-3 7-6 (9-7) victory in Mallorca.
Julia Goerges booked her quarter-final spot with a surprisingly comfortable 6-1 6-2 victory over Russia's top-seeded Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
Georges will face compatriot Sabine Lisicki after she defeated American Shelby Rogers 6-3 6-4.
For those on the move, we will have Eastbourne and Wimbledon covered via our website skysports.com/tennis, our app for mobile devices and iPad, or follow our Twitter account @SkySportsTennis to join in the conversation. Can Andy Murray retain The All England Club title this summer? Have your say...
Sky customers can now upgrade to Sky Sports for an unmissable summer of sport. Upgrade now!