The heart-breaking nature of Australia's Rugby World Cup final defeat has convinced veteran winger Adam Ashley-Cooper to shelve any retirement plans.

Sam Stosur is through to the quarter finals of the Sydney International after a 6-4, 6-2 win over Daniela Hantuchova.

“It was tricky out here today because of the wind but I'm happy with how I played overall,” Stosur said.

“Yesterday was the hottest day in my whole pre-season, but sometimes you can't prepare for the heat and you have to get through it.”

The Australia will now face either qualifier Monica Puig or Slovakian Anna Karolona Schmiedlova for a place in the semi finals.

Stosur last reached the quarter finals in Sydney in 2005, when she lost in the final to fellow Australian Alicia Molik in three sets.