Top-seeded
Kim Clijsters helped her cause in securing the year-end No. 1 ranking Thursday at her homecountry WTA stop in Hasselt, with the Belgian topping Croatian Karolina "The Spreminator" Sprem 6-2, 6-0 to move into the quarterfinals.
"I definitely played at a higher level tonight," Clijsters said. "I've played her a few times before so we know each other's games, no surprises there. I think I improved as the match went on, and I think I played closer to the level I was at this summer."
Other seeded winners Thursday were (2)
Nathalie Dechy (d. Vinci), (4)
Dinara Safina (d. Craybas), and (8)
Katarina Srebotnik (d. Tu who retired in the first set with injury).
Un-seeds into the quarters were Dutch legacy
Michaella Krajicek (d. Safarova in three) and Aussie Sam Stosur (d. Flipkens).
Friday's quarterfinals line up as Krajicek vs. Dechy, Stosur vs. Schiavone, Clijsters vs. Schruff, and Safina vs. Srebotnik.
