Hingis upsets Sharapova to reach Tokyo final
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-02-04 15:04

Martina Hingis stunned top seed Maria Sharapova 6-3 6-1 at the Pan Pacific Open on Saturday to reach her first final since coming out of retirement.

The former world number one, a Tokyo winner in 1997, 1999, 2000 and 2002, outclassed defending champion Sharapova in every department to stake a place in her seventh Pan Pacific final.

Hingis will face another Russian opponent -- either second seed Elena Dementieva or number four Anastasia Myskina -- in Sunday's championship match.

"It feels like being back in time," Hingis said at a news conference. "I knew I still had some game in me. You just have to start believing and I believe I still can play really good tennis.

"It took me three years to recharge my body and my brain. This week I've shown a better game than at the Australian Open. I'm improving with every tournament."

Sharapova, who was just 15 when chronic ankle problems forced the Swiss into early retirement in 2002, had no answer to Hingis's guile and precision.

Hingis returned to the game last month, reaching the Australian Open quarter-finals and winning the mixed doubles title with India's Mahesh Bhupathi.

DELAY TACTICS

The "Swiss Miss" reproduced some of the form that saw her claim five grand slam singles titles between 1997 and 1999, mixing power with sublime touch and making Sharapova look ordinary at times.

Sharapova even resorted to delaying tactics, turning her back several times as Hingis prepared to serve to slow her down -- but to no avail.

Hingis secured the crucial break to go 4-3 up in the first set when her backhand clipped the netcord and stopped dead.

The second set was all about Hingis.

She broke in the third game when Sharapova netted a backhand and again to go ahead 4-1 after a wild forehand from the world number four.

"She still has a lot of experience and feel for the game," said a dejected Sharapova. "In the second set I didn't really have that fighting spirit I usually have.

"You know, 'Could've, would've, should've' but didn't."

The 25-year-old Hingis was unranked three weeks ago but climbed to 117th after her strong run in Melbourne. Her victory over Sharapova will lift Hingis to just outside the top 50.