Clijsters reaches Hasselt quarter-finals

HASSELT, Belgium, Nov 2 (Reuters) Defending champion Kim Clijsters continued her comeback from a two-month injury layoff with a 6-3 6-2 victory over Germany's Martina Mueller in the second round of the Hasselt Cup today.

The top seed, who was sidelined with a wrist injury, controlled the 90-minute match throughout and set up a quarter-final meeting with another German, Sandra Kloesel.

Kloesel, ranked 119th in the world, beat seventh-seed Australian Samantha Stosur 7-6 2-6 6-3.

However, there was disappointment for Clijsters's Belgian compatriot Caroline Maes, who was beaten by Michaela Krajicek of the Netherlands 7-6 2-6 6-3.

The Dutch player will next face Serbian three seed, Ana Ivanovic who also had a tough time before beating Angelique Kerber of Germany 6-3 7-6 6-3.

Second seed Francesca Schiavone of Italy booked her spot in the last eight with a convincing 6-3 6-4 victory over Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska.

The Italian will next take on Kaia Kanepi after the Estonian overcame Eleni Daniilidou of Greece 6-3 6-4.

Reuters SBA VP0322