Tennis: Hingis' triumph promises more
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.MARTINA HINGIS joined tennis greats Margaret Court, Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf and Monica Seles in claiming her third Australian Open title with an assured win over big-hitting Amelie Mauresmo.
Switzerland's world number two met the groundstroke bombs of the unseeded French challenger with a dazzling array of winners to take the 67-minute all-teenage Melbourne final 6-2 6-3.
Court (11), Graf (4) and Seles (4) may have won more Australian titles, but Hingis let it be known that more silverware was on the way with her confident performance against Mauresmo, who shocked world number one Lindsay Davenport in the semi-finals.
Hingis said she had played "awesome tennis all week" in winning her 21st consecutive match in the tournament, with some of her shots to see off Mauresmo's challenge bringing prolonged applause from the Centre Court crowd.
Mauresmo, who overpowered Davenport, attempted the same tactics against Hingis, but the 18-year-old champion met the heavy artillery with some audacious shot-making and precision passing shots off her forehand and backhand.
"I made the more important points when it was really needed," said Hingis. "This time I was better, I had more experience, but the next time, you never know. She has great potential."
It took Hingis until her seventh match point before she could finally put away the plucky world number 29, who drew sympathetic crowd support following days of headlines stemming from derogatory comments by Davenport and Hingis over her sexuality and physique.
Pat Rafter and Jonas Bjorkman came out on top of a heroic battle against top seeds Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi to win the men's doubles final 6-3 4-6 6-4 6-7 (12/10) 6-4.
The fifth-seeded Swedish/ Australian combination overcame the Indian duo in three hours 16 minutes, dashing hopes of the sub-continent's first grand slam title. It was Bjorkman's second successive Australian Open triumph.
"We've been improving in every tournament. Both of us are hitting the ball well and we're a good partnership," said Bjorkman.
A happy Rafter said it was more satisfying than winning his second US Open singles title last year.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments