CANBERRA, Jan. 21 (Xinhuanet) -- Third seed Amelie Mauresmo, 12th seed Anastasia Myskina and former world No. 1 Martina Hingis cruised into the fourth round of the Australian Open in Melbourne Saturday. 
    

Anastasia Myskina of Russia hits a return against Sofia Arvidsson of Sweden during the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 21, 2006. (Xinhua/Reuters)

    Mauresmo's opponent, Dutch Michaella Krajicek, was forced to withdraw due to heat exhaustion.

    The 17-year-old was unable to continue playing after dropping the opening set 6-2 when the on-court temperature exceeded 40 degrees inside Rod Laver Arena.

    

Martina Hingis of Switzerland celebrates winning her match against Iveta Benesova of the Czech Republic at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 21, 2006. (Xinhua/Reuters)

    Mauresmo will play Nicole Vaidisova after the Czech teenager eased past Italy's Flavia Penetta 6-4 6-2 Saturday.

    Myskina of Russia, the 2004 French Open champion, only dropped four games to Swede Sofia Arvidsson, winning their third round clash 6-3 6-1 in 57 minutes.

    Myskina's year-end ranking dropped from three to 14 and she wonjust one tournament in Kolkata in 2005.

    Despite coming to Melbourne as an unseeded player, Hingis continued her remarkable return to grand slam tennis with a comprehensive 6-4 6-1 victory over Czech Iveta Benesova to reach the fourth round.

    Hingis was on track for a probable showdown with Australian Samantha Stosur, who was to meet Austrian Sybille Bammer in her third round match Saturday night. Enditem