Seventh seed Justine Henin-Hardenne reached the U.S. Open third round on Thursday with a below par 6-3, 6-4 win over Spain's Maria Sanchez Lorenzo.
The French Open champion lost her opening service game before taking control against the world number 99 with some trademark backhand flourishes.
Henin-Hardenne seemed to be cruising when she led 4-1 in the second set but allowed Sanchez Lorenzo back into the match with numerous unforced errors before eventually finishing her off.
"I had little ups and downs but a lot of good things," said the Belgian. "I have to be more focused in my next match."
In round three the 2003 U.S. Open champion plays Cho Yoon-jeong of South Korea who upset Argentine 27th seed Gisela Dulko 6-4, 6-3.
Serbia and Montenegro's Jelena Jankovic, Henin-Hardenne's possible fourth round opponent, also advanced with a 6-2, 6-0 thrashing of lanky 15-year-old American Alexa Glatch.
Women's second seed Lindsay Davenport seeks her place in the last 32 when she faces Pauline Parmentier of France later on Thursday.
An intriguing clash of styles is in store on Arthur Ashe Court later when 35-year-old American Andre Agassi pits his outstanding returns against the formidable serve of lofty Croatian Ivo Karlovic.
French third seed Amelie Mauresmo will also need to be on her mettle against Bulgarian teenager Sesil Karatantcheva in the evening session.
