Schnyder and Mirza Book Date, Serena Featured Thursday at Cincy

Defending champion Patty Schnyder, looking for her first 2006 title, sent a message concerning the uber-struggling next generation of American players Wednesday with a 6-1, 6-0 thrashing of qualifier Abigail Spears at the WTA stop in Cincinnati.

"Short matches always help as the tournament goes on," Schnyder said. "It feels great. Today was a whole new match -- a whole new feeling. I just felt ready."

Her next hurdle will be the struggling Indian superstar and No. 9 seed Sania Mirza, who survived a brain fart in overcoming Finn Emma Laine 6-1, 0-6, 6-1.

American Amy "Joltin' Joe" Frazier had the upset of the day, taking out No. 8 seed Gisela Dulko, while Russian Vera "The Crying Game" Zvonareva ousted the recovering-from-injury No. 7 seed Tatiana "Hot Pants" Golovin, and No. 4 seed Katarina Srebotnik moved on with a straight-set win over China's Yuan Meng.

Serena Williams headlines the Thursday line-up against countrywoman Bethanie "World Cup" Mattek, with Zvonareva vs. Lepchenko, Camerin vs. Jankovic, and Bardina vs. Bartoli.