FILDERSTADT (Germany), Oct 9: Kim Clijsters showed she would not surrender her number one ranking easily when she overwhelmed Daniela Hantuchova 6-1 6-1 to reach the quarterfinals of the Filderstadt Grand Prix on Thursday.

But fourth seed Jennifer Capriati maintained her dismal record at the event when she was beaten 6-4 6-2 by Mary Pierce. The American has now won just three of 10 matches she has played in Filderstadt.

Clijsters, the defending champion, could lose the top spot to fellow Belgian Justine Henin-Hardenne if the French and U.S. Open champion were to beat Clijsters in Sunday’s final. But she showed no sign against Hantuchova of the ankle injury that forced her retirement from the semifinals of the Leipzig tournament 10 days ago.

Results:

Kim Clijsters (Belgium) bt Daniela Hantuchova (Slovakia) 6-1 6-1; Mary Pierce (France) bt Jennifer Capriati (U.S.) 6-4 6-2; Elena Dementieva (Russia) bt Silvia Farina Elia (Italy) 6-0 2-1 retired (lower back strain); Elena Bovina (Russia) bt Anastasia Myskina (Russia) 6-2 6-3; Amelie Mauresmo (France) bt Patty Schnyder (Switzerland) 6-2 7-6 (7-3); Lindsay Davenport (U.S.) bt Ai Sugiyama (Japan) 6-2 6-4; Magdalena Maleeva (Bulgaria) beat 7-Chanda Rubin (U.S.) 6-3 6-4.—Reuters