By Chris Davies
March 12 2003

Defending champion Daniela Hantuchova lost to South African veteran Amanda Coetzer in the fourth round of the Indian Wells tournament Hantuchova didn't use her powerful groundstrokes along with her accuracy to win over the match allowing Coetzer to be the dictator throughout most of the clash. The Slovakian who showed her magic this time last her lacked in it this year with errors all over the court slumping to a 6-4, 6-4 loss to a player more than 10 years younger than her.

Coetzer who won in Acapulco last week is in fantastic form is bidding for her third Indian Wells final after reaching them in 1993 and 1994 next plays former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez for a place in the Semi-final after she beat last years semi-finalist Emanuelle Gargliardi 6-1, 6-2.

Kim Clijsters who also isn't in the best of form that she showed at the begining of the year struggled through her fourth round match against Nathalie Dechy of France. Dechy beat Clijsters at this tournament last year couldn't hold off the Belgian in the final set sealing her victory 6-3, 3-6, 6-1.

Scottsdale champion Ai Sugiyama looked set to repeat that final in the quarter-finals when she thrashed American Chanda Rubin in the first set 6-0. But Rubin then upped her own game in a tough 3 set battle winning 0-6, 6-4, 6-4.

Results

(1)Kim Clijsters (BEL) d (15)Nathalie Dechy (FRA) 6-3, 3-6, 6-1

(8)Chanda Rubin (USA) d (21)Ai Sugiyama (JPN)
0-6, 6-4, 6-4

(16)Amanda Coetzer (RSA) d (3)Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) 6-4, 6-4

(26)Conchita Martinez (ESP)d Emmanuelle Gagliardi (SUI) 6-1, 6-2