Friday, July 7 2006 15:19 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Gladstone: Top seed Annika Sorenstam, who won her 10th major title Monday in a US Women's Open playoff, and second-seeded Michelle Wie advanced here Thursday at the LPGA World Match-Play Championship.

Sweden's Sorenstam defeated Thai-born Virada Nirapathpongporn 3 and 2 in her opening-round match at the two million-dollar event while US teen prodigy Wie defeated Brazil's Candy Hannemann 5 and 3 in the day's biggest rout.

Second-round matches Friday see Sorenstam face American Heather Young, a 19-hole winner over South Korean Sung Ah Yim while Hawaiian star Wie will tackle compatriot Christina Kim, who ousted Korean Joo Mi Kim 2 and 1.

The six top seeds each advanced at the 64-woman showdown, which will feature 18-hole third-round and quarter-final matches Saturday and semi-finals and finals on Sunday.

Mexico's Lorena Ochoa, the third seed, beat Korean Il Mi Chung 3 and 1 while Australian fourth seed Karrie Webb downed American Nancy Scranton 4 and 2 and US fifth seed Paula Creamer ousted Brazil's Miriam Nagl 2 and 1.