Hingis into quarter-finals
Hingis into quarter-finals 
From correspondents in Tokyo
Former Australian Captain January 31, 2007
MARTINA Hingis outclassed Nicole Pratt last night to became the first player to reach the Pan Pacific Open quarter-finals in Tokyo.
The No.2 seed from Switzerland, seeking a record fifth Tokyo indoor title, missed two match points at 5-4 in the second set.
But she hit her fourth ace to convert her third match point, beating the Australian qualifier 6-1 7-5 in 66 minutes.
“I played her in the opening tournament at Gold Coast and I beat her 6-0, 6-1, so I was quite confident coming today to play her, especially in Tokyo where I’ve always done well,” Hingis said.
“I just had a little difficulty to close it down.
“I think it’s more of a mental lapse that I had at the end, but she came with some great shots.
“It was a little bit like exhibition at the end, the last three or four games, but that’s when you really have to come out and be tough. I think I did quite well closing out the match in the last two game.”
Hingis next plays either Samantha Stosur from Australia, the winner over Vera Zvonareva from Russia 6-4 6-7 (4-7) 6-4, or No.6 seed Li Na from China.
Li was a convincing 6-2, 6-2 winner over American Lilia Osterloh.
In other first-round action, Maria Kirilenko from Russia whipped No.7 seed Shahar Peer 6-2 6-3.
Kirilenko next plays Ai Sugiyama from Japan, who defeated another Russian, Elena Vesnina, 6-4 6-2.
Zheng Jie from China meanwhile breezed past American Bethanie Mattek 6-2 6-1, while Mara Santangelo from Italy overwhelmed Aiko Nakamura from Japan 7-5 6-0.
Elena Likhovtseva from Russia defeated Gisela Dulko from Argentina 6-3 6-2.
Agence France-Presse