• Sony Ericsson Open

Clijsters beats Yakimova in the blink of an eye

Kim Clijsters is defending her title in Miami © PA Photos

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Sony Ericsson Open seedings

Kim Clijsters needed less than 50 minutes to confirm her status as favourite in the Sony Ericsson Open, thrashing Anastasiya Yakimova on Friday.

Clijsters was in absolutely savage mood against the world No. 94, attacking her serve at every opportunity for a 6-1 6-1 victory. The Belgian converted six of eight break chances to roar into round three.

Chasing a third Miami title, Clijsters dropped just 10 points in the entire first set, although she was forced to save a break point. Yakimova did manage to force a break against the defending champion in the second, but it was a rare moment of joy in a sweeping exit from the competition.

Ninth seed Agnieszka Radwanska was also seriously impressive in her clash with Barbora Zahlavova Strycov, narrowly missing out on a double bagel. Radwanska took 69 minutes to break five times in a 6-1 6-0 victory.

Third seed Vera Zvonareva dropped the first set to former world No. 1 Dinara Safina but then took control, winning 61 points to 42 in the final two sets of her 3-6 6-3 6-2. Eighth seed Victoria Azarenka also had to lift a gear after finding trouble against Lucie Hradecka, winning 7-5 4-6 6-0 in the end.

French Open winner Francesca Schiavone advanced with a 6-4 6-4 win over Angelique Kerber, and there was also joy for Marion Bartoli, who defeated Ayumi Morita 6-3 2-6 6-1. There were comprehensive victories for seeded stars Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Ana Ivanovic.

Elsewhere, seeds Jarmila Groth and Petra Kvitova both advanced untroubled, No. 25 seed Dominika Cibulkova emerged a 6-1 5-7 7-5 winner against Timea Bacsinszky, but 22nd seed Alisa Kleybanova fell to fellow Russian Ekaterina Makarova.

Other winners included Maria Kirilenko, Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez and Virginie Razzano.

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