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Swiss smiles as Hingis, Federer breeze through
(China Daily)
Updated: 2006-01-18 06:59
MELBOURNE: Tournament favourites Roger Federer and Kim Clijsters powered into
the second round of the Australian Open yesterday on a day that saw Martina
Hingis made a successful comeback to Grand Slam tennis.
Martina Hingis of
Switzerland waves to the crowd after winning her match against Vera
Zvonareva of Russia at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne
January 17, 2006. [Reuters] | Hingis looked like the Swiss Miss of old on her return to a tournament she
won three times between 1997-99 and last played in 2002 before injuries cut her
career short.
The 25-year-old demolished Russian 30th seed Vera Zvonareva 6-1, 6-2 in just
over an hour to claim her highest ranking scalp since launching a comeback
earlier this month following a three-year layoff.
"I still need to do this and that but I've played a couple of tournaments now
and I feel I can get better ... I love coming back here, this stadium has been
so good to me," said a beaming Hingis.
Federer also sent a chilling warning to his rivals by swatting Uzbekistan
wildcard Denis Istomin 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 in ruthless fashion.
The Swiss top seed, who on Monday equalled US great Pete Sampras' mark of 102
weeks as world No 1 in the ATP rankings, was in devastating form and showed why
he is the overwhelming favourite to land his second Australian Open.
Federer, who confessed to knowing nothing about his opponent, broke Istomin's
serve six times and was always in command.
"It's never easy in the first round of a Grand Slam," he said. "But the
scores are good and I'm very happy with the result. It's a good start to the
tournament."
Germany's Florian Mayer is next up to face the Fed Express.
Lleyton Hewitt, the third seed who is scheduled to meet Federer in the
semi-finals, was far less convincing against the 58th-ranked Robin Vik of the
Czech Republic, struggling to finish him off in a five-set thriller.
The Australian finally hammered the last nail into Vik's coffin after three
hours 45 minutes, winning 6-4, 2-6, 5-7, 7-6 (7/4), 6-3.
"I had to wait, I had to bide my time and wait for my
opportunities, but it was awfully close," said Hewitt.
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