Thursday, September 14 2006 12:58 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Musa Dua: Two-time champion Svetlana Kuznetsova ventures into the unknown Wednesday (13 Sep, 2006) against an opponent she has never faced, emerging relieved with a 6-1, 6-2 victory at the Wismilak International.

The top seed and winner of the event in 2002 and 2004 improves her tournament career record here to 10-0 as she defeats teenager Erika Takao of Japan.

The Russian 2004 US Open champion says after the game that she has found it difficult at first against Takau, a squat and powerful player ranked 152 in the world.

"She's a good player and it was tough for me to adjust at the start to her game," says Kuznetsova.

The Russian expresses her dislike at playing an unknown player, saying, "I prefer at least to know their faces." "I could have won 6-0, 6-0 if I'd played my game sooner. I'm confident after this win - but it could have been easier," she adds.

Kuznetsova gets through her early discomfort thanks to her serve, which produces eight aces. Takao, 18, and playing in only her second WTA-level tournament of the season, slumps to six double-faults.

Kuznetsova is one of only two seeds in action on Wednesday (13 Sep, 2006). No. 6 seed Marion Bartoli of France also advances into the quarter-finals, defeating Australian Casey Dellacqua 6-1, 6-3.

In other results at this beachside resort venue, Hungarian Melinda Czink eliminates former champion Angelique Widjaja of Indonesia 7-6 (7/1), 6-1 and Czech Hana Sromova beat Japan's Aiko Nakamura 6-3, 7-5.

In Thursday (14 September 2006) play, Swiss second seed Patty Schnyder, given a first-round bye like Kuznetsova, plays her second round match against Elise Tamaela of the Netherlands who defeated Venezuela's Maria Vento-Kabchi 6-2, 6-0.

Third-seeded defending champion Lindsay Davenport continues her title defence as she plays Akiko Morigami of Japan.