Hingis wins comeback match

January 2, 2006

 

Five-time Grand Slam singles champion Martina Hingis was a comprehensive winner today in her first match since coming out of retirement.

Hingis defeated Venezuela’s Maria Vento-Kabchi 6-2 6-1 and admitted that nerves affected the opening points of the match.

“You saw the first six points,” she told the media later. “Thankfully I know her from the past and also from Saddlebrook. I had a strategy going into the match.”

On the match, Hingis said, “It was a tough match in the beginning. I was very focussed. I started feeling better, especially in the second set. I think in the second set I really started to play some good points and I think the crowd enjoyed it too.”

When asked to rate her performance out of 10, she said, “In the circumstances, with the heat and not having played for three years, I’d say an eight. And at times even better.”

Hingis showed she's still got some of that world No.1 class

Hingis will next play seventh seed Klara Koukalova of Czech Republic and was asked her thoughts on her opponent: “She’s a smart player, she plays powerful but she’s not as tall as some of the Russians. She’s from the Czech Republic so that’s a similar mentality (to me), it feels like I have to play myself.”

Other winners on day two included the top three seeds: Patty Schnyder , Francesca Schiavone and Dinara Safina , who all won in straight sets.

Fifth seed Tatiana Golovin of France defeated the last remaining Australian in the singles draw with a 7-5 6-2 win over Queenslander Nicole Pratt .

Day three main draw action will begin at 10.30am.

Click here for draws and schedules.

Click here for full results.