Martina Hingis began her quest for a record fifth Pan Pacific Open title with a crushing 6-1 7-5 win over Australia's Nicole Pratt on Wednesday. The former world number one, a quarter-finalist at last week's Australian Open, needed only 66 minutes to reach the last eight with a clinical performance on the fast indoor carpet.
"I beat her 6-0 6-1 in Gold Coast in my first tournament of the year so I was comfortable playing her," said Hingis, who won the Tokyo title in 1997, 1999, 2000 and 2002.
"I'm trying to be more offensive and take the game into my own hands. I know that's the direction I have to take." Earlier, China's Zheng Jie, battling a high fever, overwhelmed American Bethanie Mattek 6-2 6-1 to join compatriot Li Na in the last 16. Zheng will play fourth-seeded Serb Jelena Jankovic in the second round of the $1.3 million tournament.
Sixth seed Li won her opening match in equally convincing fashion on Tuesday and plays Samantha Stosur next following the Australian's 6-4 6-7 6-4 win over Russia's Vera Zvonareva. Meanwhile, Russian Maria Kirilenko swept into the last 16 with a 6-2 6-3 upset win over seventh seed Shahar Peer of Israel.
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