ASHLAND — Up-and-coming Madison Brengle continued her charge in the Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital Tennis Classic on Thursday.

At the same time, Shenay Perry made a positive step in her comeback from knee surgery.

The 18-year-old Brengle and previously 40th-ranked Perry led a group of eight winners into today’s quarterfinals of the $50,000 USTA Pro Circuit event at the Ashland Tennis Center.

Brengle, who earned a spot in the main draw through the qualifier, registered her fifth singles victory this week by sweeping past Agustina Lepore of Argentina 6-1, 6-1.

Perry, a USTA wild card, overcame a rocky start to knock off No. 2 seed and hometown favorite Julie Ditty 3-6, 6-1, 6-3.

Other winners included No. 1 Marina Duque-Marino (6-3, 7-5 over Sharon Fichman); No. 6 Varvara Lepchenko (6-4, 6-2 over Yulia Fedossova); Lauren Albanese (6-3, 3-6, 3-3 ret., over Tetiana Luzhanska); Carly Gullickson (3-6, 6-3, 6-2 over Mallory Cecil); Neuza Silva (6-4, 6-1 over Alina Jidkova); and Betina Jozami (3-6, 6-2, 6-3 over Jorgelina Cravero).

Brengle and Albanese, who turns 19 next week, are two of the top rising U.S. players.

Brengle, from Dover, Del., has not dropped a set since arriving in Ashland. Seeded third in the qualifier, she beat Americans Hilary Toole, Maureen Diaz and Lindsay Lee-Waters while dropping only 10 games.

“Actually, coming through the qualies is not a bad thing,’’ Brengle said. “Every match is tough. It prepares you for the main draw and definitely builds your confidence. I feel like I’m playing really well.’’

Brengle carried the momentum into the main draw and knocked off 2007 OLBH Tennis Classic semifinalist Alexandra Stevenson 7-6, 6-4.

“Her game is not my favorite style to play against,’’ Brengle said of Stevenson. “She hits everything big and heavy. I had to work hard for every point. There are no easy matches. Today I won 6-1, 6-1 and the score may look like it was simple, but (Lepore) is very tough.’’

Brengle is not only on a roll in the OLBH Tennis Classic, but enjoying her stay with host family John and Lee Billups of Ashland.

“It’s really good,’’ Brengle said. “Their daughter Alex plays tennis and she’s a sweetheart.’’

Last week, Brengle advanced through qualifying at the $75,000 Albuquerque tournament. She reached the Round of 16 before losing 6-4, 7-6 to Ditty, the eventual champion.

Ashland is the second of six consecutive tournaments for Brengle.

“Now that I’m completely done with playing juniors, it simplifies my schedule,’’ said Brengle, who last year reached the finals of two Grand Slam juniors. She also picked up her first WTA main draw victory by defeating Italian star Flavia Pennetta in Los Angeles.

Brengle hopes to bump up her 257 ranking more by season’s end so that she can make it into the qualifier for the Australian Open.

Perry, meanwhile, is trying to return to the form that saw her rocket to No. 40 in August of 2006. She reached the fourth round at Wimbledon and advanced to the third round of the French Open.

A right knee injury later that year set Perry back, however. She had surgery last summer and just returned to the pro circuit last month. Perry won three qualifying matches at the recent U.S. Open before losing to No. 37 Jie Zheng in the first round.

Perry showed some of her previous form in defeating Ditty. The 24-year-old American used a pounding serve and variety of shots to move on to the next round.

“This is my fourth tournament and I feel like I’m getting back in sync,’’ Perry said. “I’m able to move. There is still a little bit of setback with (knee) stiffness, but I’m happy with my progression.’’

Ditty had the upper hand early, winning the first three games. After Perry pulled to within 4-3, Ditty answered with a service break of her own and then closed out the set.

“I think Julie played real well in the first set,’’ Perry said. “She has great hands and moves the ball well. She didn’t give me too many balls to work with. I did start a little slow, but she had a lot to do with that.’’

After Perry controlled the second set, Ditty went up 2-1 in the third before Perry won the next three games.

“Shenay has been ranked high and is coming back from an injury,’’ Ditty said. “I knew she would be tough. I don’t think I played badly. She played well today and showed that she can do anything she wants with the ball.’’

After the match, Ashland City Manager Steve Corbitt and USTA Tour supervisor Missy Malool presented Ditty with a “Julie Ditty bobblehead’’ in honor of her recently becoming the USTA Pro Circuit’s all-time leader with her 31st and 32nd titles. Both came last week in Albuquerque.

“It was nice,’’ Ditty said. “I didn’t know that was coming.’’

Perry offered congratulations.

“Julie is a great player,’’ Perry said. “I’m happy for her in her accomplishments the last week and a half.’’

Ditty and Gullickson advanced to today’s doubles semifinals by defeating Brengle and Heidi El Tabakh 6-2, 6-2. They are scheduled to play Catalina Castano and Jidkova in a late-afternoon match. The other semifinal has Raquel Kops-Jones and Abigail Spears meeting Liga Dekmeijere and Jelena Pandzic.