LOS ANGELES, Nov 6: Defending champion Kim Clijsters and America’s Jennifer Capriati posted impressive victories at the $3 million WTA Championships on Wednesday.

Capriati overcame a strained right hip and fought off four set points in the second set to take out Japan’s Ai Sugiyama 7-5 7-6 in Black Group round-robin play.

For her part, Belgian world number one Clijsters whipped Russian Elena Dementieva 6-2 6-2 on the tournament’s opening night in front of 5,281 fans at the 20,000-seat STAPLES Center in Red Group play.

But fourth seed Amelie Mauresmo was upended 4-6 6-4 6-2 by eighth seed Chanda Rubin.

Results:

Round-Robin: Red Group 8-Chanda Rubin (U.S.) beat 4-Amelie Mauresmo (France) 4-6 6-4 6-2 1-Kim Clijsters (Belgium) beat 6-Elena Dementieva (Russia) 6-2 6-2 Round-Robin: Black Group 3-Jennifer Capriati (U.S.) beat 7-Ai Sugiyama (Japan) 7-5 7-6 (7-3)—Reuters