Bammer beats Bartoli to reach quarter finals

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Austrian Sybille Bammer reached the quarter-finals of a grand slam for the first time when she beat 12th seed Marion Bartoli 7-6 0-6 6-4 at the U.S. Open on Sunday.

With the match clocking at three hours three minutes, it equaled the longest women's match at the U.S. Open on record.

Frenchwoman Bartoli, who had beaten Lindsay Davenport to reach the fourth round, struggled with the humid conditions and called in the trainer midway through the first set.

Despite her discomfort, Bartoli managed to stretch the opening set into a tiebreak and tried to wear Bammer down in long rallies.

But the Austrian took the initiative by coming forward, winning several points on volleys to take it 7-3.

Bartoli ran away with the second set but the third was another tight battle with Bammer back on form at the net and Bartoli showing signs of weariness, calling another medical timeout for attention to her thighs.

Serving to stay in at 4-5 and 0-30 down, Bartoli lost her touch and handed Bammer victory.