Top seeds cruise at Japan Open

TOKYO: Top seed Venus Williams barely worked up a sweat while India's Sania Mirza struggled, but both women booked their spots yesterday in the quarter-finals of the Japan Open.

In the men's draw, top seed David Ferrer - looking to secure his spot in the season-ending Masters Cup in Shanghai - ousted 2005 Japan Open champion Wesley Moodie of South Africa, 7-6 (7/5), 6-2, moving on to the third round.

Williams, the reigning Wimbledon champion and world No 8, had no trouble with fellow American Vania King, cruising to a 6-0, 6-4 victory.