Top-seeded Sanchez-Vicario advances in Brussels
July 09, 2002

BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) -- Top-seeded Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario had an unexpected struggle, but defeated Czech Denisa Chladkova in three sets Tuesday to advance to the second round of the Brussels French Community Championships.

The Spaniard, heavily favored to win with Belgian stars Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin out of their home tournament, beat Chladkova 6-3, 3-6, 6-0 at Royal Leopold.

No. 4 Martina Sucha of Slovakia became the latest of the top players failing to advance, while second-seeded Barbara Schett had no trouble in her first-round match.

Austrian Barbara Schwartz beat Sucha 6-4, 0-6, 6-4, posting the second major upset in the $140,000 clay-court event. Third-seeded Cristina Torrens Valero of Spain was ousted Monday by Myriam Casanova of Switzerland.

Schett beat Czech Jana Hlavackova 6-3, 6-4.

In other matches, Kristie Boogert of the Netherlands downed Mariam Ramon Climent of Spain 7-5, 6-3.; Anca Barna of Germany beat Sovia Arvidsson of Sweden 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 (9); Maret Ani of Estonia took Virginie Razzano of France 7-5, 6-7 (5), 6-2; Eva Dyrberg of Denmark ousted Sabine Klaschka of Germany, 6-2, 6-2, and Galon Leon-Garcia of Spain eliminated Barbara Rittner of Germany 6-2, 2-6, 6-4.