South African Kevin Anderson and American Sam Querrey both advanced to the quarter-finals of the ATP/WTA Washington event on Thursday with straight-set, second-round wins.

Anderson, seeded third, beat Florent Serra of France 6-4 6-4, while Querrey, champion last weekend in Los Angeles, reached the last eight with a win over Germany’s Benjamin Becker 6-4 6-3.

Top seed Mardy Fish takes the court later on Thursday.

Anderson, ranked 34th and a first-round Wimbledon loser, earned his third hardcourt win of the summer after reaching the second round last month in Atlanta.

The South African punished qualifier Serra with 12 aces in their match lasting just under 90 minutes, with Anderson breaking three times and losing only one serve.

He will next play Querrey, another noted big hitter who has been steadily raising his ranking this season.

In women’s quarter-final play, Russian top seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova advanced over Chang Kai-chen of Taiwan 6-4 6-4.

Magdalena Rybarikova of Slovakia advanced to the semi-finals over compatriot Jana Cepelova 6-2 6-4.

“I’m happy to be here and to play here,” Pavlyuchenkova said.

“I’m a bit disappointed because the Games are so special, but I’ll have other chances in my career.”