Hingis wins on return
Reuters, Melbourne
Former world number one Martina Hingis made a successful return to professional tennis with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Venezuela's Maria Vento-Kabchi at the Australian hardcourt championships on the Gold Coast on Monday. Top seed Patty Schnyder also advanced into the second round with 6-3,7-6 victory over France's Virginie Razzano in a late match. Hingis, who retired in 2002 with foot and ankle injuries, dropped her serve in the opening game but soon rediscovered the touch that led her to five grand slam titles. "I was a little nervous," the 25-year-old Swiss told reporters. "It was just a matter of time and getting the first point and the first game. "After that I started breathing." Hingis rated her first match back an "eight out of 10" but said she knew she would need to improve her serve. "I don't know what else I should have done today better than what I did," she said. "The score says it all. Hingis, who is using the Gold Coast and Sydney tournaments as warm-ups for the Australian Open that starts on January 16, will meet world number 35 Klara Koukalova of the Czech Republic in the second round.
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WINNING COMEBACK: Former world number one Martina Hingis is delighted after winning a point in her straight-sets victory over Maria Vento-Kabchi in the Australian women's hard-court championship in Gold Coast on Monday. PHOTO: AFP |
