Clijsters, Stevenson advance in Zurich

ZURICH, Switzerland (AP) -- Fresh off her title in Filderstadt, a runny-nosed Kim Clijsters continued her winning ways Tuesday, defeating Czech Daja Bedanova 7-5, 6-2 in the opening round of the $1,224,000 Swisscom Challenge.

Earlier, American qualifier Alexandra Stevenson countered 11 double faults with 10 aces to oust Japan's Ai Sugiyama 6-3, 6-4 while seventh-seeded Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia eliminated compatriot Janette Husarova 7-6 (5), 6-1.

The sixth-seeded Clijsters, who defeated Hantuchova in the final at Filderstadt on Sunday, needed time to adjust to the much slower surface in Zurich. But the Belgian, with boyfriend Lleyton Hewitt watching from the sidelines, quickly found her groove in the second set to post her sixth straight win.

"It feels like only a few hours ago I was playing on center court in Filderstadt," said a shivering Clijsters, hugging herself tightly. "I was on a high last week and playing three-set matches over two hours. So it was hard to get going here.

"Plus I've had colds on and off the past month and I've been sick for a week," she said, adding that she had just passed on her cold to Hewitt. "But as long as I keep on winning, I'll take that [the cold] with it."

Clijsters will face Amanda Coetzer in the second round.

"She beat [Jelena] Dokic in Moscow," Clijsters said. "She's a tough opponent. She fights every ball and she runs a lot of balls down.

"I'll have to make fewer unforced errors," said the Belgian, who committed 37 unforced errors to Bedanova's 26.

Stevenson, who reached the quarterfinals of Filderstadt last week before losing to Hantuchova, won five consecutive games in the second set to defeat Sugiyama.

"I was down 4-1. I gave her a couple of breaks," the 21-year-old Stevenson said. "But then I broke back. It was good."

Stevenson will meet fifth-seeded Dokic in the second round. The two last met in the round of 16 just over a month ago in Montreal, where Dokic won in three sets.

The match may once again prove tough for the Yugoslav. The promising young American has toppled several big names this season, such as Coetzer and Elena Dementieva, and twice upset Jennifer Capriati.

In addition, the weary Dokic -- who finally broke a four-match losing streak Monday with a win over 1995 champion Iva Majoli -- is showing signs of wear, having played 74 matches over 28 tournaments this season.

Stevenson is appearing in her 24th event, but has played fewer matches, generally going out earlier than Dokic at tournaments.

Hantuchova, like Clijsters, appeared uncertain in her opening set against Husarova, needing time to accustom herself to the slower surface. Once settled, however, Hantuchova had little difficulty taming her countrywoman.

"It took awhile getting used to the bounce," Hantuchova said. "I expected a tough match so I'm glad, especially in the second set where I had her under control and I dominated."

In other action, eighth-seeded Anastasia Myskina of Russia defeated Lisa Raymond of the United States 6-4, 4-6, 6-2.

After clinching the opening session, Myskina faltered slightly, and Raymond, attacking particularly well, was able to even the sets. But the Russian raised her game in the third, jumping to a 4-0 lead to put the match out of reach.

Local favorite Patty Schnyder kept spectators happy, beating Czech Denisa Chladkova 6-3, 6-2.

 

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