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Her appearances so far at the 2010 ASB Classic, as they were last year, have been punctuated by political protests outside the stadium, but Peer (22) almost seems to be revelling in the attention.

The noise from the Auckland Domain proved a major distraction during her second-round outing against Slovakian Magdalena Rybarikova on the outside courts, but more so for her unfortunate opponent, who obviously would have preferred that the protesters were moved on much sooner than they were.

"I think it was really, really bad," admitted Peer after her 6-1 6-0 victory."I guess the people know exactly where to stand where we can hear them well.

"I also want peace and the world to be more quiet, but I don''''t think there is a place for these protests. It is not my fault ... I don''''t even want to get into politics, but I don''''t think these guys know what they are shouting about.

"Of couse, [she and Rybarikova] are old friends and she knows it is not my fault. I did not make them come and protest, but maybe because I am coming from where I am coming, I''''m more tough."

Perhaps Peer, ranked 31st in the world, is better conditioned mentally or perhaps she is simply feeling her form. Whatever the reason, she took just 1h 06m - the quickest of a series of one-sided singles matches on Day Three - to dismantle the Slovak and the KIA Motors Singles is now fated to see at least one unseeded player in the semis.

"I played very agressive, I did my tactic and concetrate as much as I can," observed Peer. "I was playing pretty good and trying to prove I can play with this noise."

With the demise of seeds Lia Na (second) and Anabel Medina Garrigues (eighth) in the bottom quarter of the draw, she will now face another dark horse, Russian Maria Kirilenko (ranked 63rd), on centre court tomorrow. The bigger stage brings risk of greater protest, but Peer seems unperturbed.

"I don''''t really have anything to say to [the protestors]. I know they can do whatever they want, but as long as I''''m winning, I don''''t care."

After dispatching Estonian giantkiller Kaia Kanepi, Kirilenko (22) was very aware of what lay in store off the court, even though she last faced Peer as an eight-year-old.

"From what I heard, some crazy people were outside the court, screaming at Shahar and very much disturbing her opponent," she said. "I was practicing at the same time, so I heard.

"But I have quite a lot of fans here, who have come to support me. I will be prepared, of course, and I hope it will not distract me."

Three more seeds were shown the door today.

The best contest of the day saw Japanese wildcard Kimiko Date Krumm come back to defeat French fifth seed Virginie Razzano 3-6 6-3 6-2. The veteran (39) owed her place in the main draw to the withdrawal of Kiwi hope Sacha Jones, but showed the determination that has seen her return to the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour after a decade''''s absence.

Last year, she became the second oldest woman to win a tour title in Seoul, behind only legendary Billy Jean King.

"When I came back, I didn''''t have confidence to play speedy ball or powerful ball," observed Date Krumm. "I need more practice with top 100 players.

"If I play more WTA Tour, my eyes and body get used to it."

She now faces fellow wildcard and second seed Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium, who expressed admiration for her occasional practice partner.

"I have so much respect for her comeback," said Wickmayer. "She is a great player and a great athlete with an awesome mentality ... I''''m really happy to have her."

Frenchwoman Alize Cornet, who dispatched Kiwi Marina Erakovic in the opening round, made 2009 runner-up Elena Vesnina of Russia, seeded sixth this time round, her next victim in convincing fashion 6-1 6-1.

Her quarterfinal opponent will be Italian fourth seed Francesca Schiavone, who beat Cornet in Federation Cup play last year and holds a 2-1 career advantage.

Seventh-seeded Frenchwoman Aravane Rezai also bowed out early, beaten 6-3 6-4 by Slovak Dominika Cibulkova, who must lift again tomorrow against top seed Flavia Pennetta of Italy.