TOKYO -- Top-seeded Maria Sharapova cruised past American Lisa Raymond 6-4, 6-4 Thursday to join to Martina Hingis in the Pan Pacific Open quarterfinals.
Sharapova, who opened her title defense 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."
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 is fourth-seeded Anastasia Myskina of Russia, 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.
"I was a little nervous going into the match," Hingis said.
"She pushed me right away, but I was able to adjust to where she
was serving and my reaction got better. Thank god I still have
those skills."
Hingis, who retired three years ago because of foot, heal and ankle injuries, is a four-time winner in Tokyo. She last played in the tournament in 2002.
In her comeback campaign, Hingis won her first mixed doubles
Grand Slam title at the Australian Open on 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.