Tags:
Journalism of Courage
What a comeback year it has been for Martina Hingis. Having gotten off to a flying start with quarter final appearances at both Melbourne and Paris, the current World No 9 expressed her desire to be a part of the season-ending championships that brings together the top-eight players in the world. The Sunfeast Open title win today 8212; her second title this year after Rome 8212; would count as one of the significant victories for the Swiss Miss as it may see her make the cut for the Madrid mega event in November.
8220;This is my second title this year and winning any title is a special occasion. When you are making a comeback, it8217;s even more special. This is my first visit to India and I couldn8217;t have asked for more. I8217;m very happy,8221; said a grinning Hingis after dispatching Russian Olga Poutchkova 6-0, 6-4 in the 57-minute final.
The first set was over in a blink of the eye. The Swiss legend continued from where she had left off in her match against Sania Mirza, keeping her Russian opponent on the defensive. Poutchkova, who8217;s playing in only her first year on the Tour, made a string of backhand errors to lose the opening set without pulling a single game in 18 minutes.
8220;I saw the scoreboard and it said 18 minutes, that was scary. I thought I really played well and kept my focus in the first set,8221; said Hingis.
The Russian playing in her first Tour final upped her game a little in the second set where she delighted the crowd with some neatly executed down-the-line backhand winners. Poutchkova even managed to break the Hingis serve in the third game, but that was more because the Swiss missed a few easy shots. The 19-year-old however couldn8217;t hold on to the lead for long. A double fault at break point down in the sixth game helped the top seed draw level.
Hingis broke the Russian again two games later, only to be broken back in the very next game. Hingis tossed her racquet in anger 8212; the lone time the top seed looked disappointed with her game during the week.
8220;She played well in the second set. She kept playing to my forehand which took me by surprise. But I got used to it after a while and stepped up my game,8221; said Hingis.
The Russian only said 8220;she Martina gave me chances and then took them away8221; referring to the missed opportunities. Poutchkova managed to save one match point with a forehand winner, but found the net the second time to hand the Swiss Miss the title.
