Cincinnati (Ohio), Aug 14 (DPA) Kim Clijsters reached a Women Tennis Association (WTA) quarter-final for the first time since early 2007 as her comeback to tennis continued full throttle at the Cincinnati Open.

The 26-year-old Belgian, who retired in May 2007 to get married and have a baby, has shown that her form has not deserted her, defeating current French Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 here Thursday.

'I have to say I feel really good after this match,' said Clijsters. 'It's not that I feel tired or drained or anything. Just a few little aches and pains from getting back into playing matches.'

Five-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams was stunned in the third round, losing for the fourth time in seven meetings with Italian Flavia Pennetta 7-6(2), 6-4.

Pennetta won the title in Los Angeles last week and has now claimed 14 straight victories, including a clay title in Palermo last month.