Hewitt eases through

Hewitt was in brilliant form against Russell

Click here for Thursday's results

Top seed Lleyton Hewitt cruised to victory against American Michael Russell to reach the quarter-finals of the Japan Open.

Hewitt did not allow his opponent to settle and brushed Russell aside 6-1 6-1 with an awesome display of groundstrokes and powerful serving.

The Australian won 78% of points on his first serve and 92% on his second.

"He's a really good player but I didn't give him many chances," said Hewitt, who is playing his first professional tournament in Japan.

Hewitt will play eighth seed Francisco Clavet in the next round after the Spaniard defeated Nicolas Massu 6-3 6-4.

Rematch

James Blake, who Hewitt allegedly racially abused during their second-round meeting at the US Open, remain on course for a rematch with the Australian.

The American defeated fourth seed Jonas Bjorkman 6-1 7-5.

Takao Suzuki played aggressively against Michael Chang, rushing to the net as often as possible during his three-set victory.

"That has to be my best win. It's the first time I've beaten a former top 10 player and to do it in Japan is special," said Suzki afterwards.

Chang has had a poor season and has not won a title since the Mercedes-Benz Cup in Los Angeles in July 2000.

"I've had a lot of disappoiting losses this year and my confidence is not where it used to be," said Chang.

Suzuki will play Karol Kucera in the next round after the Slovakian defeated third seed Rainer Schuettler 6-2 6-2.

In the woman's tournament Monica Seles needed just 48 minutes to dispose of Italian Rita Grande in front of 3,138 people on centre court.

"I felt much better today. I was more aggressive on my serve and on my groundstrokes, which made the difference," said the former world number one.

Seles will play third seed Ai Sugiyama in the next round after the hometown favourite defeated Pavlina Nola 6-1 6-4.

Thai ace Tamarine Tanasugarn struggled to beat American Jill Craybas in her second-round match.

Tamarine, ranked 29th in the world, eventually won 4-6 6-4 6-3.

"Craybas played well today, she is running well," said Tamarine.

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Selected results from Thursday's action at the Japan Open:

Men, third round:

Lleyton Hewitt [1] (Australia) bt Michael Russell [15] (USA) 6-1 6-1
Karol Kucera (Slovakia) bt Rainer Schuettler [3] (Germany) 6-2 6-2
James Blake (USA) bt Jonas Bjorkman [4] (Sweden) 6-1 7-5
Francisco Clavet [8] (Spain) bt Nicolas Massu [11] (Chile) 6-3 6-4
Sjeng Schalken [2] (Netherlands) bt Ivo Heuberger (Switzerland) 6-2 6-4
Michael Kratochvil [5] (Switzerland) bt Lars Burgmuller [9] (Germany) 6-3 6-2
Takao Suzuki (Japan) bt Michael Chang [6] (USA) 7-6 (7-3) 6-2

Women, second round:

Tamarine Tanasugarn [2] (Thailand) bt Jill Craybas (USA) 4-6 6-4 6-3
Joannette Kruger [8] (Republic South Africa) bt Nicole Pratt (Australia) 4-6 6-3 7-6
Saori Obata (japan) bt Marlene Weingartner [5] (Germany) 6-1 5-7 6-3
Emmanuelle Gagliardi (Switzerland) bt Wynne Prakusya (Indonesia) 6-3 1-6 7-5

Women, third round:

Monica Seles [1] (USA) bt Rita Grande [6] (Italy) 6-1 6-2.
Ai Sugiyama [3] (Japan) bt Nola Pavlina (New Zealand) 6-1 6-4

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