Hingis will be the top draw

Come September and this eastern metropolis will welcome with open arms one of the greatest women’s champions in the Open Era - former World No. 1 Martina Hingis.

Come September and this eastern metropolis will welcome with open arms one of the greatest women’s champions in the Open Era – former World No. 1 Martina Hingis. She has confirmed her participation for this year’s WTA Tier III Sunfeast Open.

If it was Anastasia Myskina who enthralled the city’s tennis enthusiasts at the inaugural edition of the tournament last year, the week starting September 18 promises to be edge-of-the-seat stuff with the Swiss Miss expected to keep the crowd hooked with her powerful ground strokes and attacking net play. If Hingis emerges champion, she’ll take home more than what the Russian did. As per WTA rules, the prize money has been increased by since last year to a cool $175,000.

The five-time Grand Slam champion has climbed to 13th place in the WTA rankings since staging a comeback at this year’s Australian Open after an ankle injury sidelined her for three years.

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A press release quoted her as saying: “I have heard a lot about Indian tradition and the excitement the WTA is creating in the country. I am very excited to come and play in front of the passionate tennis fans at Kolkata. Can’t wait for September!”

Mahesh Bhupathi, who partnered Hingis to lift the mixed doubles crown at Melbourne this January, told reporters: “She’s staged a remarkable comeback. I think she’ll break into the top-10 in the world by the time the Sunfeast Open comes around. It was a great experience playing alongside her. She’s a great doubles player.”

Bhupathi also didn’t wish to read much into Sania Mirza’s first round losses at the last two Grand Slams this year. “She had a tough draw at both events. She lost to Myskina at the French and (Elena) Dementieva at Wimbledon, which are by no means bad losses. I feel in three years’ time, she’ll break into the top-10 in the world. She will peak by the time she turns 22.”

Meanwhile, the Globosport MD also informed reporters that World No 7 Croatian Mario Ancic will be the biggest draw at the Mumbai ATP, which begins on September 25.

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