Clijsters clambers past Myskina
Barry Wood
Cheered by boyfriend Lleyton Hewitt, Kim Clijsters claimed her first victory over Russia's Anastasia Myskina in three career meetings on Tuesday to reach the second round of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix with a 6-4, 6-2 victory.
There were also wins for four-times former champion Martina Hingis, who overcame Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario 6-4, 6-2, fifth-seeded Amelie Mauresmo, who beat German wildcard Barbara Rittner 6-4, 6-0 and qualifier Alexandra Stevenson who overcame fellow American Meghann Shaughnessy 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 to set up a clash with top seed Jennifer Capriati.
Myskina had beaten sixth seed Clijsters both at Wimbledon two years ago and recently in the semi-finals of the Leipzig event. This time she played a competitive first set, but was completely overwhelmed in the second as the Belgian dominated the rallies by running her round the court and forcing errors.
A year ago the clash between Hingis and Sanchez-Vicario might have been a final, but both have struggled this year.
Hingis suffered a long-term injury and the Spaniard a loss of form, but they put those disappointments behind them to produce a spirited contest.
SPECTACULAR SHOTS
Sanchez-Vicario produced the more spectacular shots, especially off the backhand, but it was Hingis who eventually dominated with her more consistent play.
"It was nice to play her to get into the tournament," said seventh-seeded Hingis, who increased her record against Sanchez-Vicario to 18 wins in 20 meetings.
"We both know each others games so well and for a first round match it was really good. The second set was a little tight but I squeezed through it."
Although it was in Filderstadt last year that Hingis injured her right ankle, tearing three ligaments during her semi-final against Lindsay Davenport, it is not something she is dwelling on.
"It wasn't really on my mind," she said. "It was frustrating, but I've won here four times and it really suits me here.
"Somehow I really enjoy myself playing here. It's a nice setting, and I could drive down here from home. It's low key and a nice atmosphere and you feel free, nearly at the end of the season."
France's Mauresmo, seeking her third title of the year after winning in Dubai and Montreal, claimed a competitive first set from Rittner, and after holding off three break points at 1-0 in the second she surrendered only four points in the next four games as she recorded a comfortable victory.
Qualifier Alexandra Stevenson overcame fellow-American Meghann Shaughnessy 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 to set up a clash with top seed Jennifer Capriati.
In other matches, Austrian wild card Barbara Schett rallied to beat American Chanda Rubin 1-6, 6-2, 6-2, and Iva Majoli of Croatia overcame Italian Rita Grande 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.
