Hingis goes down fighting

ByEurosport

Published 25/01/2006 at 08:19 GMT

Kim Clijsters survived a Martina Hingis comeback to move through to the semi-finals of the Australian Open with a 6-3 2-6 6-4 on Wednesday. The Swiss former champion fought back from a set down and a break to force a final set before her Belgian opponent

TENNIS - 2006 Australian Open - Clijsters v Hingis 1/4F

Image credit: Reuters

The last women's quarter-final proved the best. The pair served up some stirring tennis as the match ebbed and flowed between the pair.

With the Swiss former champion looking a beaten woman at 2-0 down in the second set, Hingis showed everyone that she is back at the top table, storming back to wrap up the second set and take Kim the distance.

TENNIS 2006 AUSTRALIAN OPEN Hingis M. - Clijsters K. 1/4 final

Image credit: Reuters

Australian Open

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FAST START

The Belgian number one blew her opponent away in the early stages, moving into a 4-0 lead as Hingis struggled to cope with her powerful ground-strokes, a league above anything else she had met so far in this year's tournament.

She was run all over the court by the U.S. Open champion as Clijsters allied power with accuracy. The packed Rod Laver Arena, clearly in the camp of the three-time Oz Open champion, groaned.

TENNIS - 2006 Australian Open - Clijsters v Hingis 3

Image credit: Reuters

But Martina began to get a hold of the Clijsters second serve as the set wore on and in only losing the set 6-3, gave herself some hope for the rest of the match.

ROLLING BACK THE YEARS

All seemed lost however when Hingis found herself a break down in the second set, but it wasn't.

She won six consecutive games to close out the set 6-2 as Clijsters' level dropped, primarily on her backhand side, dumping numerous shots into the net under a Swiss onslaught.

TENNIS 2006 AUSTRALIAN OPEN Hingis M. - Clijsters K. 1/4 final

Image credit: Reuters

Martina was showing everyone that power isn't everything as she used her tennis brain to move her opponent around, instinctively knowing when to attack, and when to play the percentages.

TO THE WIRE

Kim once again had a fast start in the final set, breaking the Hingis serve in the opening game and almost again in the third. But after a number of deuces, Martina finally held serve, boosting her hopes at this vital stage.

She even managed to break back to 3-3 as Clijsters' backhand once again let her down. The crowd were being treated to yet another great match, after the drama of Nicolas Kiefer's win over Sebastien Grosjean earlier in the day.

TENNIS 2006 AUSTRALIAN OPEN Hingis M. - Clijsters K. 1/4 final

Image credit: Reuters

In the end, stamina saw the Belgian through as she broke straight back and held on to her next two service games to close out the match.

More encouraging, Clijsters did not seem hampered by the injury worries that dogged her in the previous round against Francesca Schiavone.

She will need all her strength against WTA Championships winner Amelie Mauresmo in the semi-finals after the Frenchwoman's 6/3 6/0 win over Patty Schnyder of Switzerland.

Hingis was understandably upbeat, despite losing in her first grand slam tournament for over three years.

"I made the last eight, and all the other players are either former number ones or top eight players or top 10 players.

TENNIS - 2006 Australian Open - Hingis v Clijsters 1

Image credit: Reuters

"I'm one of them (and) if you make the final eight, you definitely have the belief."

Indeed, the 'Swiss Miss' believes there is more to come from her as she gets back into the rhythm of life on tour.

"For sure. There's definitely some things in my game I have to work on.

"But you know, I only had a short period of time to get ready, so I try to spend a lot of time on the court.

"I think I can be proud about myself to be here and be playing and playing tennis as I showed today, that I can still mix it up. It was great prove to myself. Now I just have to work harder and see what happens in the coming weeks."

TENNIS 2006 AUSTRALIAN OPEN Hingis M. - Clijsters K. 1/4 final

Image credit: Reuters

For Clijsters the win was cause for a double celebration. Making the semi-final, unlike Lindsey Davenport, means she moves ahead of the American in the rankings to regain her number one status.

"After the year I had last year, this is the cherry on the cake, it just tops it off,"

AUSTRALIAN OPEN: Women's results

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