More than 30% of the valley'spopulationstill falls beneath America'sofficialpovertylevel, according toSisterMariaSanchezof valley Interfaith, alocalcharity.
Defending champion Serena snatched the first set against Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez and then survived a second-set fightback before prevailing 6-3 7-5.
Thursday's quarterfinals see Serbian sixth seed Jelena Jankovic taking on Russia's Alisa Kleybanova and Australian eighth seed Samantha Stosur playing Spain's Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez.