Hingis hammers luckless Schiavone to reach quarterfinals

May 18, 2006, 14:45 GMT

Rome - Martina Hingis extended her superiority over Francesca Schiavone as she dismissed the Italian sixth seed 6-0, 7-5 Thursday to reach the quarterfinals of the 1.34-million-euro Rome Masters.

1998 Foro Italico champion Hingis, thriving in the game after a three-year retirement for injury which she broke in January, has never lost a set to London-based Schiavone.

The Swiss beat the Italian in Doha last March as well as in the quarters of the 2001 French Open.

The day was not a total disaster for the hosts as unfancied Swiss- Italian qualifier Romina Oprandi continued her improbable miracle run 6-0, 6-1 over Russian Vera Zvonareva in the third round.

Second seed Kim Clijsters was set to continue her quest to return to the number 1 ranking, facing Russian Dinara Safina.

Clijsters needs to win the title Sunday to take over the top spot after current number 1 Amelie Mauresmo withdrew before the start of the week with illness.

Hingis shot off to a quick start against Schiavone, 11th in the world but without a career trophy.

The 25-year-old Swiss, winner of all five of her Grand Slam titles while still a teenager, spent 25 minutes in establishing superiority.

In the second set, Hingis faced more of a struggle, dropping serve in the second game but taking it back in the seventh. Schiavone didn't help her own effort with a massive 32 unforced errors, managing to convert on only one of 13 break point chances.

Hingis broke for a 6-5 lead and polished off victory a game later on her second match point after one hour, 21 minutes.

'In the first set I played very well,' said the winner. 'I had no mistakes and put the pressure on her.

'The (long) first three games were the key to the match. I was down in them and turned things around.

'In the second, she stepped it up and we had quite a fight. I'm glad to finish in two sets, it was hot out there.'

Russian fifth seed Elena Dementieva overcame German number 11 Anna-Lena Groenefeld 7-6 (7-1), 3-6, 6-1 to reach the last eight.

Oprandi, ranked 133, handed Zvonareva the worst defeat of her career, second to a previous-worst 6-2, 6-0 loss in the 2005 German Open.

Zvonareva, twice a Rome semifinalist, needed 61 minute to finally win a game.

Oprandi, grew up in Switzerland and spoke Swiss-German at home, only obtaining an Italian passport recently due to her father's nationality.

Her only other tournament at the WTA level was in Palermo last year, where she lost in the first round after qualifying.

'To win this match is just incredible,' she said. 'I'm so happy, so emotional.

'I don't have the words to describe what I'm feeling.'