Hantuchova crashes, Simon books last eight spot

STANFORD (California): Fourth seed Daniela Hantuchova was sent crashing out of the Stanford Classic while Anna Chakvetadze stepped up her play with a second round victory on Wednesday. Second-seeded Chakvetadze cruised past unseeded Israeli Shahar Peer 6-3, 6-4 while Hantuchova was upset by unseeded veteran Ai Sugiyama of Japan who won 6-3, 6-1. Top-seeded Serena Williams could present a major roadblock in Chakvetadze's repeat bid. In the late match on Wednesday, Williams had to rally to beat Portuguese qualifier Michelle Larcher De Brito 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. The 26-year-old American, owner of three titles and a 32-4 record this season, was playing her first match since losing to sister Venus in the Wimbledon final. INDIANAPOLIS: Frenchman Gilles Simon defeated Germany's Benjamin Becker on Wednesday and advance to the... [read full story]