BERLIN -- Kim Clijsters closed in on Venus Williams' No. 2 ranking Thursday, beating Fabiola Zuluaga 7-5, 6-3 to advance to the quarterfinals of the German Open.

Clijsters needed four match points to beat the 52nd-ranked Zuluaga in the $1.224 million clay-court event.

The 19-year-old Clijsters, competing for the first time after a five-week break, can claim the No. 2 ranking by winning the tournament. She can also move into the second spot by reaching the final, depending on the rank of the opponents she faces.

"I definitely felt better out there today than my first-round match,'' said Clijsters, who has two victories this season.

Jennifer Capriati also advanced to the quarterfinals with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over 17th-seeded Nathalie Dechy of France. Justine Henin-Hardenne and Amelie Mauresmo were scheduled to play later Thursday.

In other matches, Justine Henin-Hardenne defeated 15th-seeded Patty Schnyder 6-2, 6-3; seventh-seeded Daniela Hantuchova beat Marie-Gaianeh Mikaelian 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (2); and Vera Zvonareva defeated Eleni Daniilidou 7-5, 4-6, 6-4.

Clijsters, who failed to win a match in the tournament in two previous tries, improved to 27-4 this year, with three losses coming against the Williams sisters.

Zuluaga charged to a 4-2 lead in the first set, but Clijsters rallied to tie at 4-all and allowed the Colombian just one point while winning three straight games to clinch the set.

Clijsters described the withdrawal of the Williams sisters from the event a mixed blessing.

"It's a bit of both -- you always want to play against the best,'' Clijsters said. "But it's not as though some of us players haven't shown we can beat them.''

Clijsters was beaten in straight sets by each of the Williams sisters, but had Serena on the ropes in the Australian Open semifinals. The world No. 1 had to fight off two match points.

Clijsters has reached four finals and two semifinals in six events this year.

Capriati, who has reached the semifinals of four straight events, fired an ace to end the match against the seventh-seeded Dechy.

"The score didn't tell the true story -- she's a top opponent,'' said the fourth-seeded Capriati. "But I can't complain about the way I played.''

Capriati, who has climbed back to No. 7 after a month layoff following eye surgery, is gearing up for the French Open.

"It's not like I've peaked yet. I don't think I'm close to peaking anytime soon,'' Capriati said. "I've got a lot left in me.''

Capriati ran into trouble against Dechy only once, letting a 3-1 second-set advantage slip away.

Dechy tied the set at 3-3 and served for the win in the next game, but netted a volley. Capriati went on to close out the match easily.