Henin wins ninth straight match

MIAMI, March 23 (UPI) -- Justine Henin, the top-ranked player in the world, and Kim Clijsters both advanced past the second round Friday at the Sony Ericsson Open.

Henin easily disposed of Vania King 6-4, 6-1, capturing her ninth straight match. She has won her last two tournaments in Dubai and Doha to move past Maria Sharapova into the No. 1 spot in the rankings.

Henin will next play Virginie Razzano, who defeated Martina Muller 6-4, 7-6 (7-2).

Clijsters, who won this event two years ago, overcame a first-set loss to defeat Akiko Morigami 4-6, 6-0, 6-0.

Also advancing were sixth-seeded Nadia Petrova and seventh-seeded Jelena Jankovic.

Daniela Hantuchova, who won last week at Indian Wells, also reached the third round with a 7-5, 6-0 win over 14-year-old Michelle Larcher de Brito.