Hingis into Pan Pacific quarters
Hingis into Pan Pacific quarters 
From correspondents in Tokyo
Former Australian Captain January 31, 2007
FORMER world No.1 Martina Hingis became the first player to reach the quarter-finals at the Pan Pacific Open tennis tournament when she outclassed Nicole Pratt today (AEDT).
The Swiss Miss seeking a record fifth Tokyo indoor title, missed two match points leading 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 a 66 minute contest.
“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,” said Hingis, the tournament’s second seed.
“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 games,” Hingis added.
In the quarter-finals on Friday, Hingis will take on either sixth seed Li Na of China or another Australian, Samantha Stosur, the winner over Vera Zvonareva of Russia 6-4 6-7 (4/7) 6-4.
Li was a convincing 6-2, 6-2 winner over American Lilia Osterloh yesterday.
In other first-round action, Maria Kirilenko of Russia whipped up-and-coming seventh seed Shahar Peer with a 6-2 6-3 victory.
“Before the match I had very good concentration. I played against her a lot of years ago, but I beat her 6-0, 6-0. Now I think I did the same,” said Kirilenko.
In the second round Thursday, Kirilenko will play former world doubles number one Ai Sugiyama of Japan, who outplayed Elena Vesnina of Russia 6-4 6-2.
China’s Zheng Jie breezed past American Bethanie Mattek 6-2, 6-1, while Mara Santangelo of Italy overwhelmed Japan’s Aiko Nakamura 7-5 6-0. Elena Likhovtseva of Russia was a 6-3 6-2 winner over Gisela Dulko of Argentina.
Agence France-Presse