Below-par Clijsters staggers into last 16

PARIS, Jun 3 (Reuters) Kim Clijsters staggered into the fourth round of the French Open with a below-par 6-3 6-4 win over Spain's Anabel Medina Garrigues today.

With the sun dipping in and out over centre court, second seed Clijsters produced a scrappy display in a match which featured 10 breaks of serve.

''I knew that she was a good player and I knew I had to play well,'' the US Open champion said on court.

''I think today was my best match of the tournament but I definitely think there are improvements to be made.'' The 27th-ranked Medina Garrigues took a 3-1 lead in the first set as Clijsters struggled to find any kind of momentum.

Even after Clijsters had levelled for 3-3, she appeared to be bemused with her own inability to take control.

Sizzling forehands were quickly followed by ugly shots into the net, leaving an exasperated Clijsters to bounce her racket off the ground.

Despite securing the set in 32 minutes with a thundering forehand winner, the second set proved to be just as annoying for the 22-year-old Belgian.

She earned a 2-0 lead but the advantage did not last for long as the players traded breaks four games in succession.

Clijsters faced two break points when she was attempting to close out the match. Medina Garrigues let out a roar of frustration after she lost both points, and the twice French Open runner-up ended the Spaniard's challenge after 79 minutes with a thumping forehand winner.

Clijsters will next meet Slovakian Daniela Hantuchova for a place in the quarter-finals.

Reuters PG GC1930