Hingis: Comeback Hard, Engagement Easy

From Tennis Week:

Martina Hingis has a new sparkle these days thanks to the diamond engagement ring she's been sporting since fiance Radek Stepanek proposed to her late last year. The 26-year-old Hingis revealed today deciding to return to tennis after a three year layoff required reflection, but accepting Stepanek's marriage proposal was a snap.

"That was my decision to come back, so that was the longer process thinking whether I should commit myself or not," Hingis told the media in Tokyo today in comments published by Reuters. "But with the engagement I only had to stretch out my hand and say 'Yes I'll take it'. It wasn't really my decision. I mean, I was happy that it happened but I think somebody else had to do a little bit more thinking than myself."

Martina Hingis on Her Engagement

From The Australain: Swiss Miss dismisses questions about becoming a missus

MARTINA HINGIS has helped clarify why she is engaged to Radek Stepanek, and in the process managed to break the hearts of many male members of the fourth estate.

Hingis, who is engaged to the world No.20, put a sports reporter on the back foot when queried about the relationship.

"Who else am I going to date, a journalist?" she asked.

Hingis Says Engagement Won't Affect Career

From The Herald Sun: Martina Hingis to stick around

NEWLY engaged Martina Hingis has vowed not to follow Kim Clijsters and Lindsay Davenport into retirement and said her priority remains a strong 2007 to follow her successful comeback season...

"The priorities right now are tennis. There's plenty of time to think about life after tennis," Hingis said yesterday.

"I'll try to keep up with the young girls and play at the highest level. If it's not the case anymore, or I don't want to do it, I'll think about it.

"If you're happy in your private life you are going to do well. You know what you want, I think I'm at that stage right now."

Hingis Confirms Engagement

From the AP: Swiss Miss to soon be a Mrs.: Hingis engaged

Martina Hingis confirmed she became engaged to Czech tennis player Radek Stepanek last month, though she was surprised it had taken so long for people to notice her ring.

“I’m happy,” the former No. 1-ranked Hingis said Friday, showing off a diamond ring. “I was surprised when it was spotted right away (in Australia) because in Switzerland I’ve been walking around for a month and no one’s said anything.”

Philippoussis Confirms Broken Engagement; Stepanek Talks about His Proposal to Hingis

From The Herald Sun: Scud courting romance

Australian star Mark Philippoussis is single again after breaking up with his American fiancee...

Australia's Hopman Cup representative confirmed yesterday he had split from teenage fiancee Alexis Barbara about three months ago.

"I broke up with Alexis after the US Open," Philippoussis said after training in Perth.

"She's concentrating on her modelling and stuff, and I'm concentrating on my tennis."...

Former World No. 8 Stepanek is over the moon about marrying Hingis.

When the Czech proposed to her in Prague's Old Town in November, it was with trepidation. He need not have worried.

"It was was very nice," Stepanek recalled yesterday in Adelaide as triple Australian Open winner Hingis practised on the Gold Coast.

"The proposal was in one of the nicest places in the world, just near the Charles Bridge."

Hingis Engaged to Stepanek

Wow!

From The Herald Sun: Martina Hingis' ace of hearts

TRIPLE Australian Open tennis champion Martina Hingis has won her biggest love match, becoming engaged to Czech player Radek Stepanek...

Hingis, who made a valiant comeback this year to reach a world ranking of seven after three full years off the world tour, remained silent yesterday.

But the 26-year-old Swiss miss wore a diamond ring while practising at Royal Pines yesterday and chatted happily to tour regulars about her engagement.

Hingis showed off the ring to countrywoman Emmanuelle Gagliardi with a beaming smile when they crossed paths on the practice court.

Hingis Her Usual Self in Discussing Comeback

From Tennis.com: Return Winner? Hingis assesses her comeback

“Some players were surprised and others not. The most critics I’ve had were about my physical level and I’ve proved them wrong,” said Hingis in Madrid on Monday. “Besides, I [was] No. 1 for four years for a reason.”

Still, the demands of the tour have taken their toll. “Late in the year, I discovered I was low on iron,” she said. “That happened before Zurich. I’m taking supplements right now.”...

The WTA in Seoul & Guangzhou

At Hansol in Korea, Martina Hingis won her first match while yesterday saw a couple of seeded casualties (adios, Maria Kirilenko, Gisela Dulko and Lucie Safarova). She'll have a rematch with Sania Mirza in the 2nd round, whom she beat so soundly last week in the semis in Kolkata.

Over in Guangzhou, top seeds Jelena Jankovic and Na Li are through the first round.

Ivanovic's Breakthrough; Federer was Hingis' Ball Boy

Sure it's a bit late, but congratulations to Ana Ivanovic on her breakthrough Tier One win against Martina Hingis on Monday in Montreal. I saw the rain delayed finish of the Safina-Ivanovic match on Sunday and was impressed by Ivanovic's game. I think she's got a real shot at a Semi at the Open. (Also congrats to Martina Navratilova for winning the doubles w/ Petrova as she goes into her last tournament.)

And speaking of Hingis, these bits just makes me chuckle for some reason:

"We never played together during our younger days because I was always busy playing with girls and boys three years older than me when I was 14 or 15. However, I do remember that he (Roger Federer) was my ballboy at one of the Basel tournaments (laughs). That was funny."

"A lot of the great players have been injured. I used to play Lindsay, Monica, Jennifer, the Williams sisters -- all of us were beating Mauresmo. And now she's No. 1 and she's more confident. Sometimes in tennis it's about the last one standing."

That Martina.

Roddick Wins, LaLo Blogs and I'm Having Tennis Dreams

I woke up an hour ago and just now realized that I hadn't seen the rain-delayed Ana Ivanovic-Martina Hingis final on TV yesterday, with Pam Shriver, John McEnroe and Feliciano Lopez "judging" (god knows what; I don't remember anymore), and with Patrick McEnroe commentating on the fact that Feli turns heads and is a great pick for the panel.

Disturbing. I never have dreams I'm not in. I feel like I'm crossing some sort of fandom threshold.

Regardless, speaking of finals, Andy Roddick beat Juan Carlos Ferrero for Cincinnati, his first title of the year, and a spot in the top 10. With the victory, he also wins the US Open series and has serious OOMF going into the US Open. Roddick was back to his old self out there--spectacular serving, big stick strutting, firing himself up--as well as looking much more comfortable at net. Jimmy Connors, well done. Dare we say it? Andy seems to have finally found his mojo.

ETA: Here's a good piece on the revitalized Roddick from Tom Perrotta: For Roddick, Timing May Be Key to Success

Also, the lovely Feliciano Lopez (pictured) is blogging from New Haven this week. He dishes a bit on doubles partner and best buddy Rafael Nadal--Rafa's in New Haven to practice (he'll be hitting with James Blake (!) today), but so far it's pretty uninspired stuff.

Here's the Pilot Pen/New Haven site.

Kournikova and Hingis, Together Again?

This seals it, my Hingis Hatred can finally be put to rest. I'm really starting to love the girl. Apparently Kournikova suggested renewing their doubles partnership after the two played an exhibition in December and Hingis basically smacked a bitch down: "She was okay," said the Swiss. "But she would have to train. I don't want to go out there and lose first round."

Hingis, speaking truth to peroxide. (C'mon, Anna fans! It's all in good fun.)

I saw Hingis and Kournikova play an exhibition doubles match in NYC a few years back, in Madison Square Garden (2001, I think?), and well, that was a lot of ego out there. Of course, It Would be Great For Tennis if Anna returned, and I honestly think it would be fun to see them out there again, complete with their old Queen Bee MO.

Read 'Hingis Urges Kournikova to Think Hard about a Comeback'

Wimbledon Day 5: Upsets (The Ladies)

Sugiyama d. Hingis
Sugiyama took the first set 7-5 but lost the 2nd set 3-6, on an early break. The Japanese veteran steeled herself to come back from a seemingly insurmountable obstacle--Martina (News, Blog Posts) broke her twice at the start of the 3rd set. What a way to play in your 14th consecutive Wimbledon!

Well at least Hingis will have some time to cheer on boyfriend Radek Stepanek; he took out Juan Carlos Ferrero 11-9 in the 5th in a spectacular match.

Here are a match report / Hingis' Interview / Sugiyama's Interview.

Li d. Kuznetsova
4th seed Svetlana Kuznetsova (News, Blog Posts) went down in a fierce battle with Li Na. The Kuze took the first set, but then started rushing and making some wild shots...and then that was all she wrote. Congratulations to Li for becoming the first Chinese singles player to make the 4th round at Wimbledon. Here's a match report.

Bremond d.  Dulko
Smaller beans, but French qualifier Severine Bremond is on a serious roll; yesterday she dispatched 8th seed Patty Schnyder, and now 31st seed Gisela Dulko, in 3 tough sets. Here's a match rundown. Bremond faces Ai Sugiyama in the round of 16, and will definitely have a shot at a quarterfinal.

Wimbledon Draws are Out!: The Women

Here's the women's draw. Venus landed at the bottom of Mauresmo's quarter of the draw and so did 14th seed Dinara Safina. Other trouble spots: a newly brunette Tatiana Golovin and Ana Ivanovic who's already beaten Amelie this year. Michaela Krajicek, who's still having a great week in Nottingham, is a potential 2nd round match up for Mauresmo.

Sharapova's section looks pretty straightforward until Dementieva in the quarters, though Schiavone, Sania Mirza, and Danilidou, who made the semis at the Ordina Open, could add some spice.

Hingis, Hantuchova, Jamea Jackson and Patty Schnyder are in Justine Henin-Hardenne's section of the draw. Will be interesting to see if Hingis can reach the massive roadblock that is Justine.

At the bottom of the draw, there are a few threats between #5 seed Kuznetsova and #2 seed Kim Clijsters: Vaidisova, Na Li and Kirilenko.

News: Petrova's pulled out with her lingering groin injury from the French.

Wimbledon and Hingis: a Mixed Bag

Hingis Returns with Mixed Memories
Memories of triumph and disaster will swirl in the mind of Martina Hingis when she returns to Wimbledon for the first time in five years next week.

The chequered career of the 25-year-old Swiss, who is back on tour after a three-year break, has seldom been more black and white than at the All England Club. Read 'Mixed Memories'

Martina and Radek in Pictures

Well, here we go. Thanks, Vidhyut!

Martina and Radek taking a constitutional

Martina, Radek and their teeth

Mats Wilander's Blog, Video Outakes

I didn't know Mats had one. I'm a big Mats fan and love the stuff he does for Eurosport. The blog's got some interview footage with Nalbandian, Ancic and Nadal, as well as posts by Mats himself and Mats' admin about Hingis, Marat Safin, and others.  Here's the blog.

Here are direct links to some of the video interview outtakes: Here's a Rafa one, here's a Nalbandian one, and here's Mario Ancic.

Hingis On Her Defeat

Arguably the finest tactician on the tour, Hingis said she was not in the right shape to be competitive against a player of Clijsters's calibre.

"I was a little flat, I was a little tired, I was just a little late. I didn't have the energy going I had in the first three matches," Hingis told a news conference.

Read the Article.

A Love Letter to Hingis

From Slate: I used to despise Martina Hingis. While she was busy reaching 12 Grand Slam finals between 1997 and 2002 (and winning five of them), I was cultivating a dark hatred for her entire being. Her joyless, little-Miss-Perfect smile. Her waxy, bulbous forehead (which has inspired some on the tour to nickname her "Chucky"). Her offensive comments (she once called Amelie Mauresmo "half-man").

I think a lot of people felt this way towards Hingis. I certainly did. (Though the author says he used to hate her game, too--something I've never done. Sure, she was a stone cold bitch, but her game was always genius.) I've been impressed by her maturity and humility (Shocker!) on this comeback. I'm even impressed by the fact that she is dating Radek Stepanek, not exactly the trophiest boyfriend out there.

With revealing candor a few years back, Hingis said of herself in reference to Maria Sharapova: "She's as mean as a snake. She reminds me of me." Au contraire, mon frere! You were much nastier than Masha, Martina, but look what a few years can do to improve a person's character.

Read the Article: How I Came to Love Martina Hingis

Martina Hingis Interview

In case you missed it, the Roland Garros site has a post-opening match interview (video and transcript) with Martina Hingis.

Choice quote:

"Well, I think everyone's improved over the years. You just get better as time goes on. I mean, today I would probably beat the Martina back then. But who knows. With some of the things that I was doing back then, I don't have. But I have some weapons which I have today. It's probably the brains and everything. Experience, more mature."

No Clear Favorite Among the Women

At Roland Garros, Women's Tennis Searches for a Leader

Almost halfway through 2006, women's tennis remains upsidedown.

So far this year, three different women have held the no. 1 ranking. Amelie Mauresmo, the current no.1,won her first major title in Australia after Justine Henin-Hardenne retired with what was officially scored as a "gastrointestinal illness." Nadia Petrova, who dumped her coach in Australia because he was not "tough" enough, is now ranked no. 3 and has the most wins on the tour in 2006. Maria Sharapova is the second-best Russian, while Serena Williams, the most talented woman in the world, is the 14th-best American, ranked a lowly no. 108. And Martina Hingis has returned from a three-year retirement and moved quickly into the top 15. Read On...

Ace Hot List

Well, the most important tennis rankings are out.

For the men, the Spanish Armada is, of course, well represented in the top 10--  Rafael Nadal, Feliciano Lopez, Juan Carlos Ferrero. And apparently bald is also beautiful, with 2 shiny domes making the cut.

For the women, the top 10 is dominated by the Russians and sort-of Russians: Myskina, Dementieva, Kirilenko, Golovin and Sharapova.

The Women's and Men's Lists

I must say I disagree with the rankings. Ivanovic, Venus, Dementieva and Mirza are IMHO the most beautiful women on tour; and the spaniards should clearly have a lock on the top 4 (Feli first, and where is Moya?), and the absence of Ancic and Nalbandian is obviously poor judgement. (Roddick, top 10? Blasphemy!)

Laureus Loves Tennis: Roger, Rafa and Martina Win

It's been a big day for tennis on the world stage. The Laureus Sports Awards were held today in Barcelona and tennis was a big winner.

Roger Federer, Martina Hingis and Rafael Nadal took home awards: Federer won Sportman of the Year for the second year running; Hingis won Comeback of the Year over a field that included Kim Clijsters; and Nadal won Newcomer of the Year over surly Scot Andy Murray. Other nominees were the Croatian Davis Cup team for Team of the Year and Wheelchair Tennis star Esther Vergeer for Disabled Sportsperson of the Year. Clijsters was also nominated for Sportswoman of the Year.

Here's an article with more info.  Also, check out photos of Nadal, photos of Federer, and photos of co-host Boris Becker at the show from Getty Images.

ETA: Hmm, apparently quite a few tennis luminaries showed up. Here are photos of Ilie Nastase, photos of Monica Seles, Martina Navratilova, and Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario .

Hingis Wins Rome

Hingis took out Dinara Safina 6-2 7-5 to win the first trophy of her comeback. A great tournament for her, and it looks like she's got a real chance to finally win her first French Open title. Here's a match summary.

Who are your picks for Roland Garros? My money's on Justine Henin-Hardenne.

Robredo Wins Hamburg: Hingis v. Safina in Rome

So it's the third win for an ATP blogger (James Blake and Ivan Ljubicic were the others). Tommy Robredo, this week's very entertaining blogger, just won his first Master's Shield, in style, over Radek Stepanek 6-1 6-3 6-3. Robredo played a really clean match, making almost twice as many winners as errors, and Radek's game really broke down.  Here's a match summary.

As of tomorrow, Tommy's will be no. 7 in the world, displacing Blake; and Radek will be just 10 points shy of the top 10 for the first time. (Hmm, Tommy just said in his champion's speech that he had not been "perfectly mentally" in the last five months and thanked his friends and family for sticking by him. Well, good for him; hopefully whatever problems he was having will be erased by his triumph in Hamburg.)

Now it remains to be seen if Radek's girlfriend Martina Hingis will do him one better and win today in Roma. Yesterday's match was a thriller; Venus was blowing Hingis off the court and won seven straight games before the train derailed in the second set. Dinara Safina will try to continue her incredible streak (Clijsters, Dementieva, Kusnetsova, anyone?) this week. Here's to hoping Marat flies in to support his little sister so we can get some great reaction shots.

The match is maybe on (or over) already, but I'm going to wait to watch the delayed feed on The Tennis Channel at 2pm (Eastern).

The New, Stronger Martina Hingis (Unless You Ask Her)

From the New York Times: A Learning Curve

Across the net from Martina Hingis stood an opponent whose game she didn't know well. This is a prosaic fact of Hingis' comeback, for during her three-year retirement a whole new crop of players sprouted on the WTA Tour.

Helio Castroneves, a two-time Indianapolis 500 champion, was in town for a race yesterday at Homestead-Miami Speedway, which is how he came to be on a practice court at Crandon Park on Wednesday, waiting to receive a serve from Hingis, one of the headliners in the Nasdaq-100 Open.

Martina Hingis/Helio Castroneves Videoclip

The Indy Racing League has a four and a half minute videoclip of Martina Hingis and Helio Castroneves playing tennis together and trying out race cars on the page below.

From indycar.com: Castroneves serves up special ride for Hingis

Hingis Hitting the Gym More Consistently This Time Around, But It's Still Not a Focus

From the Palm Beach Post: Hingis faces shaky road back to top

A helmeted Martina Hingis rode Wednesday in an Indy Series car, a promotional vehicle for the Toyota Indy 300 this weekend at Homestead.

The two-seater car made plenty of noise, but traveled no faster than 5 mph on the tournament grounds of the Nasdaq-100 Open.

"I was like, 'Ooh, let's at least get it into second gear,' " Hingis said. "I mean, I love anything to do with speed, whether it's skiing or horseback riding."

Martina Hingis...Happy to Be Back

The statute of limitations has almost run out on Martina Hingis comeback stories, but not quite.  Here's another one, this time from the Sun-Sentinel: Martina Hingis' comeback has taken her to an enjoyable place, personally and professionally

One more day and Martina Hingis will be here, ready for fun, fun, fun, and so far removed from that petulant, whiny kid who once cried at the end of the 1999 French Open final that you marvel at her transformation.

Not long after she picks up her player credential and stows her gear in her locker Wednesday, she'll be out on one of the practice courts to have a publicity hit with racecar driver Helio Castroneves, the two-time Indy 500 champion who will be burning rubber in Homestead on Sunday.

Hingis Recommends Drop Shot

From The Desert Sun:

The drop shot: For players who like to stay deep behind the baseline, Martina Hingis has been making people pay with drop shots. It's something that's rarely seen in the women's game.

"In general, when you look at girls in the academies, they are just not taught that way," Hingis said. "I think it's just because they're always so one-sided, playing with their coach or playing with their hitting partner. And you know, just boom, boom, boom all the time. I think it's also the problem of the coaches or parents, because they don't teach them different. I don't think it's (because of) the girls, because I think if you show them how to do it, how it's done, I think a lot of them, they would use more skill."

Tennis commentator Bud Collins said he agreed with Hingis, adding, "Most of the coaches should be shot … with rubber bullets."

"You said that," Hingis said laughing.

Hingis Featured at Pacific Life Open

From the San Diego Union-Tribune: Hingis enhances her storybook return

“Shunted” might be too strong a word. However they arrived there, there on the Indian Wells Tennis Garden's field courts yesterday were the Pacific Life Open's Nos. 1 and 2 women's seeds, Justine Henin-Hardenne and Lindsay Davenport.

On the stadium court, meantime, was Martina Hingis, her presence there underscoring this point: that in a women's field that is not as robust as it might be, Hingis is the player the tournament is most desirous of displaying...

Hingis to Play Exhibition in Bulgaria for Maleeva Farewell

From Sofia News Agency: Martina Hingis in Sofia for Maggie's Farewell

Former tennis No.1 Martina Hingis will play in Bulgaria for the first time in a grand April 28 show.

Hingis and several other big names - including Conchita Martinez, Lizel Huber and Natasha Zvereva - will come to mark the end of Bulgarian star racket Maggie Maleeva's playing career.

Mobile operator Vivatel is supporting the spectacular event, which will take place at Maggie's own supermodern sport complex.

Hingis Happy

Here's the most we've heard Martina Hingis say so far on why she retired in the first place, how she felt in retirement, and her take on her comeback so far.

Also some frank-sounding comments by some of the top women's players about how they view Hingis' comeback.  It's so nice when they don't talk in sound bytes.  (I suppose there's no point in choosing your words carefully when talking about Martina Hingis - she won't when speaking about you.)

From Sports Ticker: Hingis finds joy back on tennis court

After nearly four years away from her passion, Martina Hingis again has found joy in her life by returning to the tennis court.

"My life was not as fulfilled without tennis," she said. "There wasn't that much time left to do it but I'm excited again.

"You have your ups and downs, you have a curve you're trying to balance.  The balancing end of it is the challenge to be out there in front of the people, the fans like at the Australian Open in front of the 15,000 crowd and winning.  Those are the moments we cherish. I didn't have it for three years and didn't know if I ever would have it again."...

Hingis Says She Came Back to Win French Open

From the AP: Hingis says winning the French Open inspiring her comeback

Martina Hingis says she came out of retirement for the French Open, the only Grand Slam title she is yet to win...

"I truly hope that I will be in Paris to win," the Swiss star said in Monday's edition of French sports newspaper L'Equipe. "Returning to Roland Garros to try to win the only Grand Slam title that I am missing was one of the principal motivations for my comeback."

Hingis Defeats Myskina

From the AFP: Hingis growing in confidence in career comeback

Martina Hingis' surprising comeback after three years away from the WTA Tour gained more momentum when she upset the seeded players for the second time in three weeks to reach the quarter-finals of the Dubai Open.

The former world number one from Switzerland beat Anastasia Myskina, the sixth-seeded former French Open champion, 6-4, 6-3, which followed her straight sets defeat of Maria Sharapova, the 2004 Wimbledon champion, the week before last in Tokyo.

Wednesday's was a match in which the merits of Hingis mark II became increasingly obvious. It was her developing ability to vary the pace of the rallies, and her greater options in attack, which elicited error from one of the world's best baseliners.

Hingis Ousts Sharapova Easily

Late, I know...but here's the result.  I'm not shocked that Martina Hingis defeated Maria Sharapova, but I am that it was so easy.  No doubt the Tokyo surface is one of the weirder ones on tour, but still...

Maybe Maria still isn't back into the swing of things after missing so much time with her injury, but she did get plenty of matches in at the Australian Open so I'm doubtful about that.  Perhaps it's Maria that's going to need to discover something new in her game to beat the top players, not Martina.

On the bright side, Sharapova has still got quite a bit of room to improve.  She just needs a bit more variety.  Hingis probably has already maximized her (substantial) talents.

For those like me who were unable to see the match, here's the Eurosport videoclip.  It's also got coverage of the Myskina-Dementieva match (and nominated Dementieva as the new "best player never to win a Grand Slam - ouch).

From the Daily Yomiuri: As good as ever Hingis hammers Sharapova

Martina Hingis is no longer in the midst of a comeback to tennis. She's back, baby, and as good as ever.

Hingis completely dismantled world No. 4 Maria Sharapova of Russia, cruising to a 6-3, 6-1 victory Saturday in the semifinals of the Toray Pan Pacific Open.

"I couldn't ask for much more," said Hingis, who returned to the sport last month after a three-year retirement due to injuries.

Hingis Wins 3-Setter

From the BBC: Hingis and Sharapova win in Tokyo

Martina Hingis stayed on course for a semi-final showdown with Maria Sharapova by beating Nathalie Dechy in round two of the Pan Pacific Open.

The Swiss wild card, who has won the event four times, beat the French third seed 4-6 7-5 6-2 in Tokyo...

Dechy believes Hingis, 25, is returning to the form that brought her five Grand Slam titles between 1997 and 1999.

Hingis Double Bagels Opponent

In case you were wondering whether Martina Hingis' good run at the Australian Open was a fluke...Cho Yoon-jeong may not be a great player - but 33 minutes!?

From the BBC: Hingis shows off ruthless streak

Martina Hingis backed up her claim that she is "improving every week" with a stunning 6-0 6-0 victory over Cho Yoon-jeong at the Pan Pacific Open.

Hingis, who returned to tennis last month after retiring in 2002, took just 33 minutes to seal a first-round win over her Korean opponent in Tokyo.

"It shows the potential is there and I'm improving every week," said Hingis.

The Swiss, a four-time winner of the event, was never troubled and dropped five points in a 14-minute first set.

Hingis Wins Mixed Double Title

From the AAP: New partnership yields a first for comeback queen

MARTINA Hingis' comeback has only just begun, and already it has yielded something she never achieved in her previous nine years on the professional tennis tour — a mixed doubles title.

The former world No. 1 yesterday capped her return to grand slam tennis after more than three years by combining with Indian Mahesh Bhupathi to win the Australian Open mixed doubles final.

Hingis and Bhupathi — granted a wildcard entry to the tournament — beat Canadian Daniel Nestor and Russian Elena Likhovtseva 6-3, 6-3 in just 65 minutes...

Now We See What Hingis Has Really Got

From the Sydney Morning Herald: Hingis faces acid test to see if she's got it made

TO BORROW one of Martina Hingis's own lines, now we'll see what she's got. There were early glimpses on the Gold Coast, followed by a sobering loss in Sydney to Justine Henin-Hardenne. At Melbourne Park, Hingis has not beaten a player ranked higher than 29th, so the first major test comes today.

Kim Clijsters will not commit the errors in their quarter-final that Sam Stosur did on Monday night, mistakes that allowed Hingis to get comfortable before hanging on grimly in the second set. The Belgian's extra power will hinder Hingis's ability to move her around like a chess piece, and Clijsters has been mentally fortified by the knowledge she is a grand slam choker no more.

The Belgian may still be ingesting a steady supply of anti-inflammatories and painkillers to mask and manage her hip pain, but Hingis is beginning to feel a different kind of pinch, having played nine singles matches in just over three weeks after playing precisely none at tour level in the previous three years.

Hingis Ousts Stosur But Looks Less Than Invincible

From The Courier-Mail: Comeback trail blazes as Hingis outlasts Sam

A GUTSY second-set fightback wasn't enough last night for local hero Samantha Stosur to stop Martina Hingis's fairytale return to the Australian Open.

It was a case of wasted opportunities for Stosur who brought Rod Laver Arena alive in the second set as she pushed the three-time champion to the brink before cruelly coming up short in a thrilling tie-break.

While the 21-year-old from the Gold Coast could hold her head high after the biggest match of her career, in the end it was the classy Hingis who prevailed 6-1, 7-6 (10-8) after 1hr 32min to book a place in the quarter-finals against No. 2 seed Kim Clijsters.

Hingis Continues Progress

The WTA rejected Martina Hingis' request for gold exempt status, and in spite of being defeated by Hingis Iveta Benesova still has doubts about Hingis' ability to play with the top players.

From The Age: Hingis on the long road back

SIX days into the Australian Open, Mary Pierce and both Williams sisters have faltered, but Martina Hingis continues to thrive, consumed once more by the game that spat her out three years ago but is so very glad to have her back.

Hingis is challenging for title favourite, having been a $151 chance before Christmas. A place in the last 16 of her first grand slam tournament since 2002 would have fulfilled whatever expectations Hingis carried through Brisbane airport almost four weeks ago.

And with her next opponent being Australia's Samantha Stosur, who is in unfamiliar territory in the fourth round of her home grand slam, Hingis would have to rate her chances of going further.

Hingis Making Betting Agencies Nervous

From the Brisbane Courier-Mail: Maria cruises but Hingis is punters' pick

BETTING agencies are bracing themselves for heavy losses after a dramatic plunge on Australian Open comeback sweetheart Martina Hingis.

Hingis, at odds as long as $150 before Christmas, has been backed into second favourite for the women's title.

The "Swiss Miss" is now a short as $4.50 with TAB Sportsbet and a $5.50 bet at Centrebet. Justine Henin-Hardenne remains favourite for the title at $3.75.

Centrebet stands to lose more than $350,000 if the "Swiss Miss" can pull off a minor miracle and claim the Open title.

Hingis Making an Impression

From the Sydney Morning Herald: Martina Cringeis: how the Swiss Miss put the wince into the Open

Fairytale schmairytale - something has to be done to keep this girl away from microphones, writes Martin Johnson.

SHE'S been a long time out of the game, and the world of tennis is all the better for having Martina Hingis back in action. For artistry, she is a Michelangelo in a world of broad-shouldered Amazons hurling buckets of emulsion at each other.

And by no means the least uplifting aspect of her being back on court is that it keeps her out of the TV commentary booth. Unlike her tennis, she has a delivery marginally less interesting - and certainly less informative - than the Speaking Clock.

Hingis Defeats Laine

Nice of Mary Pierce to lose and open up Martina Hingis' draw.

From the AAP: Hingis awesome in demolition

FORMER world No.1 Martina Hingis' comeback is the real deal.

The proof was there for all to see in the 52 minutes it took her to swat aside Finn Emma Laine in a stunning second round Australian Open victory tonight.

It was vintage Hingis – the three-time Australian Open champion combining deft touch with winner after winner for a 6-1 6-1 victory which should send shivers down the spines of her rivals both at Melbourne Park and on the women's tour this year.

After coming out of a three-year retirement, Hingis showed no sign of the foot injury that had forced her to prematurely call it quits.

Lindsay Davenport Evaluates Hingis' Chances

From The Herald Sun: Hingis soft on second serve

LINDSAY Davenport spent years attempting to prey on Martina Hingis' suspect second serve.

After watching the final few games of the comeback queen's demolition of Russian Vera Zvonerava, the world No. 1 is not yet convinced the old second ball yips are gone.

"Easy to hit good second serves up a set and 4-1. We'll see against the better players who are taking advantage of it early on," Davenport said yesterday. "We'll see when it's a big point if she's able to come up with big serves . . . which she might be able to do."...

Brad Gilbert Optimistic About Hingis' Future

From The Age: A drive to succeed in the big house

I'M BIG on cross-training — I've got a basketball court on my tennis court and find you can get a lot out of mixing things up.

Ten years ago, I worked with Martina Hingis for a couple of weeks. It was an illuminating time.

I thought it would be a good idea for her to throw a football to strengthen her arm to serve. She'd never thrown a football before, so she watched my son throw a couple of times, picked it up and had a go. She didn't throw it well.

Martina got really mad at herself. She watched my son throw it again, then picked it up and the improvement was amazing. By the end of the week she was throwing a tight spiral. She was like, "I don't do anything bad."...

Hingis Destroys Zvonareva

I'm trying to think of a player more mentally unstable than Vera Zvonareva - but I can't.

From The Courier-Mail: Grand return as Swiss Miss slams Russian

MARTINA Hingis last night showed her much-hyped comeback was the real deal with a stunning Grand Slam return to Melbourne Park.

Described by many as a joke and a waste of time, Hingis proved her return was anything but a stunt with the former world No. 1 totally dominating 30th seed Vera Zvonareva.

The popular Swiss star, who walked away from the game at the peak of her powers in 2002, was clinical in her disposal of the talented Russian, taking just over an hour to win 6-1, 6-2.

At times it was almost like watching a replay of Hingis from 1997 – the first time she won the Australian Open – given the precision of her ground strokes and court movement.