PARIS, France - Kim Clijsters is now one win away from regaining the No.1 ranking, after scoring a three set win over Kristina Barrois on Wednesday.

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Clijsters, currently No.2, came out slowly against the 78th-ranked Barrois, losing the first four games and eventually the first set. But she got back on track, needing just 53 minutes from there on for a 46 62 60 victory. The Belgian won the last nine games of the match and 17 of the last 19 points.

"I knew it would take time to get into the rhythm and get the feel for the ball," Clijsters said. "Slowly I got into the match and started being more aggressive. It's nice to be in Paris. I love the court here and the crowd is so welcoming."

In the quarterfinals, Clijsters will face either No.5 seed Nadia Petrova or qualifier Jelena Dokic, who play their second round match on Thursday. Dokic won her first round match against Lucie Safarova on Tuesday; Petrova rolled past French wildcard Virginie Razzano on Wednesday, 61 63.

If Clijsters beats Petrova or Dokic on Friday, she will return to No.1 next week.

Read about the Belgian's thoughts coming into Paris by clicking here.

In the only other second round match, No.8 seed Dominika Cibulkova fended off a game Melanie Oudin, originally leading 64 53 but ending up closing it out in a tie-break, 64 76(5). Oudin was a semifinalist at this event last year.

Other first round winners were No.6 seed Andrea Petkovic, No.7 seed Yanina Wickmayer and Sofia Arvidsson. They play their second rounds Thursday.