Nathalie Dechy predicted today that Amelie Mauresmo can still win Wimbledon after wrecking the world No. 1's preparations by knocking her out of Eastbourne.

Mauresmo slumped to a shock 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 defeat in the second round of the Hastings Direct Championships yesterday at the hands of her French compatriot and practise partner.

Mauresmo lost in the same fashion at the same stage last year against Russian qualifier Vera Dushevina before reaching the Wimbledon semi-finals.

Dechy believes the Australian Open champion can bounce back again from another disappointing performance at the Devonshire Park event.

She said: "When you are the number one player in the world and have won one Grand Slam and can play so well on grass she can definitely win Wimbledon.

"She is one of the greatest players on grass, so she is always dangerous."

Mauresmo's Wimbledon build-up was blown apart in windy conditions on centre court by Dechy, the 27-year-old world No. 25.

Mauresmo looked in control of the match in the first set but things started to go wrong when she dropped serve for the first time with a double fault to trail 3-1 in the second set.

It was downhill all the way from there as Dechy, an Eastbourne regular, pulled off the best win of her career after a horror start to the year when she was injured and won just one match in six tournaments.

"It's always difficult to beat one of your best friends," Dechy said. "We have practised and played so many times since we were seven-years-old.

"It's the first time I've beaten a number one player, so I'm really pleased. It's a special win.

"I dealt better with the windy conditions and, although I didn't start well, I tried to hang in there and make as many shots as I could.

"I always love coming here. I think it's the perfect preparation for Wimbledon if you don't get crazy with the wind. You just have to stay patient."

Dechy makes her fourth quarter-final appearance in eight visits today against Russian fifth seed Anastasia Myskina. Her stunning victory over Mauresmo improves the prospects of another of her closest friends, world No. 3 Justine Henin-Hardenne.

It was Dechy who encouraged Henin-Hardenne to come to Eastbourne and she dropped only three games in her tournament debut yesterday against Kveta Peschke to set up a quarter-final today against Russia's Elena Likhovtseva.

Defending champion Kim Clijsters, on course for an all-Belgian semi-final showdown with Henin-Hardenne, faces Italian sixth seed Francesca Schiavone.

The quarter-final line-up is completed by Russian fourth seed Svetlana Kuznetsova against Germany's Anna-Lena Groenefeld, seeded seven.

Mauresmo, meanwhile, through to the semi-finals of the doubles with Kuznetsova, admitted she has "got a lot of work to do" after the defeat by Dechy.

She said: "I thought I played a good first set, then nothing was going right in the next two sets, so I guess there are a few things to adjust looking forward to Wimbledon.