Top-Seeded Sukova Gains 3rd Round With Win Over Dechaume at Brisbane

Top-seeded Helena Sukova of Czechoslovakia advanced to the third round of the $150,000 Danone Australian women’s hardcourt tennis championship with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over unseeded Alexia Dechaume of France Wednesday.

Sukova, the world’s No. 8-ranked player, showed no signs of heat exhaustion, which earlier affected several players, during her straight-sets victory.

Sukova is seeking her second singles title in the tournament. She won here in 1984.

Fifth-seeded Hana Mandlikova, a native of Czechoslovakia who is an Australian citizen, continued her recent poor form when she served 18 double-faults during her 6-4, 6-4 loss to unseeded Catherine Tanvier of France, who is ranked 77th.

Mandlikova, on the comeback trail after 6 months off due to injuries, blamed changes to her second serve for her loss to Tanvier.