Hingis set sights on No 1

Davenport snatched the top ranking sport from the Swiss following her US Open finals victory over Hingis in September.

Before the all-important date in Perth against the US, the 18- year-old will fighting alongside Hopman rookie Ivo Heuberger when 1996 finalist Switzerland face holders the Slovak republic Tuesday at the Burswood Dome.“We danced at the ball, but I left at 1 a.m.,” Hingis confessed today after a morning training session on the indoor rebound ace surface. “We only arrived yesterday afternoon from Europe and the weather is quitedifferent.”

Swiss-German Heuberger will be the second partner for Hingis in her third Perth appearance after playing in 1996 and 1997 with French speaker Marc Rosset.

The Geneva righthander, noted for his hot temper, injured his hand three years ago as he smashed it into a courtside hoarding during the final, handing the 1996 title here to Croatia.

“For sure my partner is different,” Hingis said of Heuberger, fighting to move into the top 100 on the ATP Tour. “I’ve known Ivo from the juniors. We have no language barrier and we’re good friends.”

The Hopman format features two singles matches followed by a mixed doubles.Hingis said that she made big mistake in skipping the Hopman in 1998 – one she doesn’t plan to make again. “I only played Sydney last year (first-round loss to Venus Williams) and I was not prepared. It’s great to be back.”

“This is a great event, there are not many players and they treat us so well. We get spoiled.”

Hingis and Heuberer arrived in summery Perth from themiddle of winter in Europe. Hingis spent Christmas in her birthplace, the Czech republic after training at home near Zurich.

She is looking forward to taking a crack at Davenport again,“It’s number 1 versus number 2, everyone is expecting a great match,” said the two-time Australian Open champion. “I’m coming in with no expectations, but I’m confident.”