Displaying an intelligence and variety on her heavy ground attack that hasn't been seen in nearly two years, German Anke Huber pounded French sensation and No. 15 seed Amelie Mauresmo 6-4, 6-4 on Sunday to gain her first U.S. Open quarterfinal and regain her rightful place amongst the game's top players.

Once ranked No. 4, the buff blonde 24-year-old has struggled this year, partly due to a foot injury and partly due to a lack of motivation. Yet Huber has gradually improved this summer, pushing Lindsay Davenport in San Diego and defeating Irina Spirlea in Toronto.

"I think I overworked a little," said Huber. "I used to practice 5-7 hours a day and my mind would be somewhere else. Now I practice only two hours and really concentrate. It's better for me."

On a rainy, windy day on Louis Armstrong Stadium, the No. 27-ranked Huber pulled of the near-impossible: out-muscling the muscular Mauresmo on numerous back court exchanges. Moreover, Huber calmly handled the fiery Frenchwoman on the big points, exposing Mauresmo's erratic forehand.

"It wasn't the best match but I played smart, mixed up the pace and went for my shots when I really needed them," Huber said.

Yesterday, after his victory over Lleyton Hewitt, Huber's boyfriend, Andrei Medvedev, said that if he wins the Open, he'll consider proposing to Huber. On Sunday, Huber seconded the notion.

"I guess I'll consider it if I win it, too," she said.