Top-seeded Maria Sharapova yesterday cruised past American Lisa Raymond 6-4, 6-4 to join Martina Hingis in the Pan-Pacific Open quarterfinals.
Sharapova, who opened her title defense yesterday after a first-round bye, will next face Samantha Stosur of Australia, who defeated sixth-seeded Daniela Hantuchova 7-6 (5), 6-2.
"I had a bye and she had already played a few matches," Sharapova said. "I've never really played well in my first match here. She's a great player, but I broke her when I needed to and that helped."
PHOTO: AFP
The Russian was down 3-1 in the first set at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium but turned it around when she broke Raymond's serve to draw level at 4-4.
"The court here is a lot faster than in Australia," said Sharapova, who was eliminated in the semifinals of the Australian Open. "Moving-wise, it's hard to get used to on the first day."
Also advancing to the quarterfinals is fourth-seeded Anastasia Myskina, who defeated the Czech Republic's Klara Koukalova 6-4, 6-4.
Hingis, meanwhile, recovered from a slow start but bounced back for a 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 win over third-seeded Nathalie Dechy of France.
Former world No. 1 Hingis, who entered the tournament as a wild card, took control in the second set and then broke Dechy's serve in the final game of the third set to close out the match in 2 hours, 8 minutes.
Hingis, who retired three years ago because of foot, heal and ankle injuries, is a four-time winner in Tokyo. She last contested the tournament in 2002.
In her comeback campaign, Hingis won her first mixed doubles Grand Slam title at the Australian Open last Sunday after reaching the singles quarterfinals. She now has 15 Grand Slam titles.
Hingis will next face Russian Maria Kirilenko, who defeated eighth-seeded Ana Ivanovic of Serbia-Montenegro, 6-4, 6-4.
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