World number one Maria Sharapova [ Images ] responded to a scolding from her coach to beat Italy's [ Images ] Francesca Schiavone 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 and reach the quarter-finals of the Pan Pacific Open on Thursday.

The 19-year-old Russian twice fought back from a break down to take the opening set but suffered a total meltdown in the second, earning her a ticking off from coach Michael Joyce.

With on-court coaching allowed in Tokyo, Joyce did not mince his words when he sat next to a sulking Sharapova at the change of ends.

"Find a way to win!" he snapped at her.

Still scowling, Sharapova hit back with steely resolve, storming through the deciding set to book her place in the last eight of the $1.3 million tournament.

Sharapova, beaten by Serena Williams [ Images ] in the final of the Australian Open [ Images ] at the weekend, faces Japan's [ Images ] Ai Sugiyama [ Images ] in the last eight.

Local favourite Sugiyama, making her 15th successive Pan Pacific appearance, advanced after beating Russia's [ Images ] Maria Kirilenko 3-6, 6-1, 6-3.

Defending champion Elena Dementieva [ Images ] also powered through, the third seed shrugging off late jitters to beat fellow Russian Elena Likhovtseva 6-3, 7-5.

Dementieva plays Roberta Vinci in the quarter-finals following the Italian's easy 6-3 6-0 victory over Frenchwoman Severine Bremond.

Serbian fourth seed Jelena Jankovic [ Images ], who began her year by winning her second WTA Tour title in Auckland, also advanced in style by overpowering China's Zheng Jie [ Images ] 6-4, 6-0.

Fifth seed Ana Ivanovic [ Images ] will face her fellow Serb in the quarter-finals after beating Italy's Mara Santangelo 4-6, 6-1, 6-2.

Australia's [ Images ] Samantha Stosur [ Images ] completed a miserable day for China with a 6-2, 6-4 upset victory over sixth seed Li Na [ Images ]. Stosur plays former world number one Martina Hingis [ Images ] in the last eight.