Hingis wins to set up showdown with Davenport
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, taking complete command after losing the first three games, defeated Mary Pierce 6-4, 6-2 to set up a showdown between the world's top two players in Indian Wells, California.
The top-ranked Hingis faces number 2 Lindsay Davenport, who has won the last four matches between them, in Saturday's Tennis Masters-Indian Wells final.
In the men's quarter-finals on Friday, eighth-seeded Nicolas Lapentti took a 6-2, 6-0 victory over Hicham Arazi, who had upset top-seeded Andre Agassi in the opening round, and No. 12 Mark Philippoussis beat Sjeng Schalken 7-6 (7), 6-4y flawless tennis for the first three games against Hingis. But the match turned suddenly when Pierce began hitting groundstrokes out.
After falling behind 4-1, Hingis lost just three service points as she reeled off a five-game winning streak to take the set.
Pierce, seeded fifth, held service on the opening game of the second set, but Hingis again won five games in a row on her way to victory.
"She came out firing," Hingis said. "I felt like I was in Formula 1, the balls were passing me. I really had to work."
"I got a little tired and she did what she had to do, kept getting the ball back," said Pierce.
Hingis, currently on an 11-match winning streak and 19-of-21 on the year, assured herself of keeping the No. 1 ranking by making it to the semifinals at Indian Wells.
But Davenport is proving to be her nemesis, winning seven of their last nine meetings, including the final of this year's Australian Open, and holding a 10-7 overall edge against her.
"It is going to be a very tough match," Hingis said. "Lindsay has a big serve and big strokes and it's hard to attack her."
Following Davenport's 6-2, 6-1 romp over Elena Dementieva in their semi-final on Thursday, Davenport said she feels she has been playing like number 1 since last fall, and that, if she continues her roll, should regain the top spot. She has won her last 15 matches.
Hingis and Davenport were scheduled to meet in the final of the Scottsdale, Arizona, tournament on March 4, but it was rained out.
Results from the Tennis Master Series-Indian Wells tournament, presented by Newsweek:
Women Singles Semi-final
Martina Hingis (1), Switzerland, def. Mary Pierce (5), France, 6-4, 6-2.
---
Doubles Semi-final
Lindsay Davenport and Corina Morariu (3), United States, def. Martina Hingis, Swtizerland and Mary Pierce, France (2), 3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-1.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments