Hingis eases through

Hingis powers her way through to round four.

Martina Hingis cruised through to the fourth round of the Masters Series in Indiana Wells with a straight sets defeat over Spaniard Cristina Torrens.

She became the first player to reach the fourth round, winning easily 6-3 6-0.

Meanwhile, Evie Dominikovic notched the biggest win of her fledgling career by upsetting Nathalie Tauziat at the Masters Series in Indian Wells.

The Australian qualifier beat ninth seed Tauziat 6-4 4-6 7-5 to join the likes of Serena Williams, Elena Dementieva and Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario in the third round.

The seventh-seeded Williams, playing in her first match since January's Australian Open, trounced Adriana Gersi of the Czech Republic 6-3 6-2.

Dementieva, the Russian eighth seed, routed American Kristina Brandi 6-2 6-0, while Spain's Sanchez-Vicario struggled past American Jennifer Hopkins 6-0 6-7 (6/8) 6-4.

Tauziat wasn't the only seed to fall Saturday as Dominkovic's compatriot Rachel McQuillan ousted 15th seed Amy Frazier of the United States 7-5 7-5.

Bounced out

Williams, who won this event two years ago, excited the fans with blazing groundstrokes and her new hot pink dress.

The 19-year-old has only played in three tournaments since being bounced out of the US Open quarter-finals by Lindsay Davenport last September.

"It was a little tough to get started today," said Williams, who missed last week's tournament in Scottsdale getting over a case of the flu.

Williams: Looking for a first win in 2001

"I've been practicing really hard, so I'm really ready. Each round should be easier."

Dominikovic, blasting in 114mph first serves and controlling the court with her forehand, staved off Tauziat's aggressive net approaches to earn her first victory over a top 20 player.

Currently ranked 99th in the world, the 20-year-old said: "This is the biggest win of my career. I didn't really expect it. I just wanted to go out there and do my best."

Dementieva, who had her breakout tournament here last year when she reached the semi-finals, has raised her goals for 2001.

"I'm looking for number one, of course," the 19-year-old, who also reached the 2000 US Open semi-finals and won the Olympic silver medal, said after beating Brandi.