Conchita's slump continues

Martinez's exit gives the likes of Amanda Coetzer a chance

Silvia Farina Elia of Italy knocked second-seeded Conchita Martinez of Spain out of the Bausch & Lomb Championships with a comfortable 6-4, 6-1 victory.

The defeat continues Martinez's poor start to 2001, with her record now standing at 4-6 for the year.

Martinez had reached the finals of this clay court tournament twice in the past three years

But she was not up to the challenge in Florida against an opponent she had beaten six times previously.

If I can play physically at 100 percent, I know I can stay on court longer than her

  Silvia Farina Elia on Conchita Martinez

"The last few times I had played against her, mentally I was not ready to compete," said Farina Ella, ranked 32nd in the world.

"It's mental. If I can play physically at 100 percent, I know I can stay on court longer than her. I can play my game."

Second seed Martinez's departure leaves the tournament short of big names with Jennifer Capriati, Anna Kournikova and defending champion Monica Seles all missing.

The exception is top seed Martina Hingis, who cruised to a 6-2 6-1 second-round victory over Virginia Ruano Pascual of Spain.

It was the fist match Hingis played in nearly two years without her mother, who is her coach and security blanket, watching over her daughter.

The fourth-seeded Amanda Coetzer defeated Tatiana Panova of Belarus 7-5, 3-0 (ret).

Sixth-seeded Amelie Mauresmo of France defeated American Kristina Brandi 6-2, 6-1 and seventh-seeded Aranxta Sanchez-Vicario of Spain defeated Pavlina Nola of Bulgaria 6-3, 6-3.