Clijsters claims quarter-final spot in Antwerp

ANTWERP, Belgium, Feb 14 (Reuters) Second seed Kim Clijsters booked a quarter-final spot at the Diamond Games with a convincing 6-0 6-2 second round victory over Olga Poutchkova of Russia today.

The Belgian world number four, returning to action after missing last week's Paris Open through injury, showed no signs of her hip problem as she cruised past her opponent in just over an hour.

She will now face either Russia's Ana Ivanovic or Nathalie Dechy of France on Friday. Ivanovic defeated Belarussian Anastasiya Yakimova 6-3 6-2 in their first round tie earlier TOday.

The tournament is Clijsters's last on home soil following her decision to retire at the end of the season.

Fifth seed Patty Schnyder was dumped out in the second round by Tatiana Golovin of France who fought back from a set down to win 6-7 7-6 6-2.

Unseeded Golovin faces a quarter-final against the winner of an all-Russian second round clash between Elena Dementieva, seeded fourth, and Elena Likhovtseva.

Seventh seed Anna Chakvetadze came from behind to defeat Austria's Sybille Bammer 4-6 7-6 6-2 to seal her quarter-final berth. The Russian will now face third seed Nadia Petrova or Vera Zvonareva who play tomorrow.

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