Clijsters unfazed by error-strewn victory

World number two Kim Clijsters played down her 44 unforced errors during her 6-3 6-4 third-round victory over Spain’s Anabel Medina Garrigues.

The Belgian, who reached the final in Paris in 2001 and 2003, struggled to see off her opponent, in a shaky display.

But she said: “Against a player like that you have to take risks as well,

“It was important to go for my shots. I definitely missed a lot of them but I also made a lot.

“The most important thing is that I made some good ones at the right time.”

Clijsters has announced she will retire at the end of the 2007 season because of repetitive injuries to her wrist and back.

But the 22-year-old insists she feels in good shape in Paris.

“I feel pretty good,” she added. “I had a few little problems, mostly my back, when I came here.

“But things are getting better. I feel my back will always be the part of my body that gets a little bit tired. This is the weakest part.

“But clay is a tough surface so I am going to be very happy if I get through the clay court season without having an injury.”

Clijsters will now face Slovakia’s 15th seed Daniela Hantuchova who ousted Frenchwoman Nathalie Dechy 6-3 3-6 10-8.

“It’s going to be a totally different match against her,” added Clijsters.

“Daniela is one of the cleanest ball-hitters out there. Her movement however is not the strongest part of her game so I’ll have to try to break that down.

“I will have to hit the balls hard, go for the lines and be aggressive as well as use the angles.

“I am looking forward to playing her next.”

Earlier on Saturday, 2004 champion Anastasia Myskina completed an impressive display to storm past Serbia & Montenegro’s Ana Ivanovic 6-2 6-3.

The 24-year-old Russian insisted she has put the disappointment of last year’s first round defeat against Maria Sanchez behind her.

“I feel I am very close to the form I had when I won two years ago,” said a confident Myskina.

“I played very solid throughout the match, I am very happy with my game.

“Life has made me stronger.

“I am not acting like a loser anymore, but it’s been a long process to act as a winner.”

Myskina will face defending champion Justine Henin-Hardenne on Monday and is confident of beating the fifth seed.

“I know that I can win if I play my best tennis as I did today,” added Myskina.

“I have to believe in myself and be strong.”

Sixth seed Elena Dementieva of Russia, who reached the final at Roland Garros in 2004, suffered a premature exit following her 6-4 7-5 defeat at the hands of Israel’s Shahar Peer, seeded 31.

Former world number one Martina Hingis needed just 45 minutes against Croatia’s Ivana Lisjak to wrap up a 6-1 6-1 triumph.

The 25-year-old Swiss, who ended her three-year retirement at the start of the season, is looking to win her first title at Roland Garros.

Next up for the 12th seed is a clash with Israel’s number 31, Shahar Peer.