Cincinnati: Kim Clijsters's comeback gathered pace on Wednesday when the former world number one beat Swiss Patty Schnyder 6-2, 7-5 to reach the third round of the Cincinnati Open.
The 26-year-old Belgian, in her opening tournament after a two-year break during which she gave birth to her first child, staved off a second-set fightback to win in 70 minutes.
"Patty is a really good player and we've had some tough matches in the past so I was glad to finish off in two sets today," Clijsters said in a courtside interview.
Unseeded Clijsters lost just three points as she raced ahead 3-0 and though world number 20 Schnyder steadied herself, the first set was a one-sided affair.
Schnyder raised her game in the second but the Belgian broke in the 12th game to set up a clash with Russian sixth seed Svetlana Kuznetsova, the French Open champion.
Fifth seed Jelena Jankovic advanced with a 7-6, 6-3 victory over Russian Maria Kirilenko in a match including 13 breaks of serve.
"I didn't serve very well and I got a bit lucky at the end of the first set but I am happy I was able to win," the Serb said. "Hopefully I will get better from here."
Jankovic's next opponent will be ninth seed Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, a 6-4, 6-2 winner over Anna Chakvetadze of Russia.
In-form Italian Flavia Pennetta secured a meeting with third seed Venus Williams by beating Hungary's Agnes Szavay 6-2, 6-4, extending her winning streak to 13 matches.
Seventh seed Vera Zvonareva survived a second-set blip to oust Russian Alisa Kleybanova 6-4, 1-6, 7-5.
Later on Wednesday, world number two Serena Williams begins her title bid against Kateryna Bondarenko of Ukraine.
Bureau Report
First Published: Thursday, August 13, 2009, 08:40