In her first appearance on U.S. soil in over three years, Martina Hingis routed France's Camille Pin 6-1, 6-3 in the second round of the Pacific Life Open on Friday.
Hingis, who last competed in America when she fell to Monica Seles in the fourth round of the 2002 U.S. Open, was overjoyed with the reception she received.
"It's great," said Hingis, who won the title in 1998. "Wherever I go, people are very welcoming and friendly."
Putting on a impressive all-court display, the 25-year-old Hingis showed the same stellar form that once brought her the world number one ranking and five grand slam titles.
"Maybe I have this little underdog thing now, not being out there for three years and coming back," Hingis said. "You've seen that in the past with some other athletes and it's nice to feel the same way."
Hingis will now face Austria's Sybille Bammer, who upset number 15 seed Jelena Jankovic 7-5, 6-4.
DOUBLE BAGEL
Second seed Lindsay Davenport got off the court quickly, devastating fellow American Ashley Harkleroad 6-0, 6-0 in 53 minutes.
A two-time champion here, Davenport completely overpowered her foe.
"We had a few really close games in the beginning that I was able to come through," said Davenport. "It seemed like as the match went on, she probably lost a little confidence, and I felt like I was playing better and better."
Third seed Maria Sharapova had to play patiently in overcoming Jamea Jackson 6-4, 6-3, but was pleased with her effort in cold, windy conditions.
"She's a great mover and makes you play another ball, but I was ready for that," Sharapova said."
Anna-Lena Groenefeld crushed fellow German Julia Schruff 6-1, 6-0, while number five seed Anastasia Myskina plastered Mashona Washington 6-2 6-2.
However, Estonia's Maret Ani upset ninth seed Nathalie Dechy of France 2-6, 6-2, 6-2.
None of the men's seeds saw action on Friday, but two-time grand slam champion Marat Safin played a solid contest in downing Amer Delic 6-3, 6-2.
Playing in just his second tournament of the year after spending most the second half of 2005 nursing a knee injury, the big Russian was impressive in the way he controlled the American.
"I'm just hoping to play as many tournaments I can to get my ranking back," former world number one Safin said.
"I don't expect anything great here at all. My injury will never go away. It's already become so chronic there's no chance to fix it so I can play without pain."
Safin will face 28th seed Carlos Moya of Spain.
British teen sensation Andy Murray moved ahead with a 6-2, 6-1 over Greece's Vasilis Mazarakis.
"I played pretty consistently," said Murray, who will play fifth seed Nikolay Davydenko in the second round.
"He normally expects players to go for winners and I played pretty solid, used my slice and I made him go for it. When he did, he started to make mistakes."
