Clijsters, Sharapova advance at German Open

BERLIN - Maria Sharapova moved closer to the world's top ranking Wednesday, beating Anna-Lena Groenefeld 6-2, 6-2 at the German Open.

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Sharapova needs to win this tournament to take over No. 1 from Lindsay Davenport.

"You never know what to expect when you play your first match on clay, but it was a good solid performance," Sharapova said. "It would be amazing to be No. 1, but I'm not going to put any pressure on myself."

While there wasn't much drama in Sharapova's victory, Anastasia Myskina's slump hit a new low when she lost 6-2, 1-6, 6-4 to wild card Julia Schruff.

The third-seeded Myskina hasn't won more than three matches in any tournament since the Australian Open in early February. Her record for 2005 fell to 8-9, and losing to the 107th-ranked player cast doubt on her ability to defend her title at Roland Garros.

"I'm not even thinking about that. I'm so upset - I hope I feel better tomorrow," Myskina said. "What am I doing wrong? Ask my coach."

Backed by 4,000 cheering home fans, Schruff needed just 75 minutes to beat the French Open champion for the biggest win of her career and a spot in the third round.

"I was shocked at how fast it went," Schruff said. "I knew she was beatable because she hasn't got the results - but I'm surprised I'm the one that beat her."

Justine Henin-Hardenne ran her winning streak to 13 matches since coming back from a virus and injury, but was forced to play twice after rain washed out her match Tuesday.

First, she struggled to a 7-5, 4-6, 6-1 won over the Czech Republic's Iveta Benesova, then a few hours later she returned to the court to beat Russian Maria Kirilenko 2-6, 6-1, 6-3.

"Six sets today - that was tough," Henin-Hardenne said. "But I was physically able to do that, so that was good. Now I just want a good dinner and to relax."

She was joined in the third round by second-seeded Amelie Mauresmo, fourth-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova and Kim Clijsters.

Henin-Hardenne is 15-1 in three events since rejoining the tour in early April. Her only loss was to Sharapova in the quarterfinals at Miami.

"I'm pretty amazed myself," Henin-Hardenne said of how fast success has returned.

Clijsters beat Russian Dinara Safina 7-5, 6-2 for her 19th victory in 20 matches. The former top-ranked Clijsters wasn't offering any predictions on how she would fare at the French Open, which starts in three weeks.

"It's perfect conditions out there on clay," Clijsters said. "There is still a lot of adjustment to be done and I have to get used to it. I can't say where I'm at for the French."

Kuznetsova coasted into the third round with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Magdalena Maleeva. Mauresmo ousted Anna Smashnova of Israel 6-4, 6-1, and Mary Pierce upset 10th-seeded Elena Likhovtseva, 6-2, 6-2.