SPORT 42 SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2001 Hingis triumphs in style Basuki-Vis pair defeats Carlsson-Habsudova 6-0, 4-6, 6-2 to clinch doubles title

By Sunil K. Vaidya match despite the fact that on sev- eral occasions service returns Dubai from Tauziat drew oohs and ahs in Martina Hingis’ reign at the top of amazement from the near-packed the women’s tennis world contin- audience. ued with another title triumph at Tauziat also had to work hard to the Aviation Club Stadium yester- hold her service in the fifth game day. of the first set. Tauziat‚s double Hingis was richer by $90,000 for fault at game point seemed to have beating Nathalie Tauziat 6-4, 6-4 inspired Hingis as he hit inside out in the Dubai Duty Free women’s forehand smash that put her level. final. This was the second title for After six break points, Tauziat Swiss Miss in the Gulf, having held her service to close the gap to won the Qatar Open last week in 2-3. Tauziat was broken again in Doha. It was a day of milestones the seventh game but a double for Hingis as she remained at the fault and a sizzling forehand saw top of the world ranking for the Tauziat save a game point and 179 weeks, surpassing Monica break Hingis. Seles in the process. But by then much water had Hingis was not really aware of flowed under the bridge (net) as her feat yesterday while taking on Hingis played percentage tennis her French rival Tauziat, nick- to hold her service in the tenth named the tennis professor by game and close the first set at 6-4 Hingis‚ mother Melanie Molitor. in 36 minutes. The professor‚ however, was not Ironically, the second set also in a state to teach a lesson to lasted for 36 minutes but it was Hingis although she did try hard more dramatic compared to the to catch up with the more supple first one. and athletic Swiss rival. Senior Hingis conceded only two citizen on tour, Tauziat, 33, was points while taking 2-0 lead. In obviously tired after a tough sin- what could be termed as the best gles semifinal against Rachel game of the match, Hingis McQuillan which was followed emerged triumphant to hold her by a three-set doubles semifinal. serve (for 4-1 lead) as Tauziat But, down 1-4 in the second set, saved three game points and then she caught up with Hingis at 4-4 four break points as the game but that didn‚t worry Hingis. “No, went into six dues. Yayuk Basuki and Caroline Vis, the winner of the doubles title, during the final against Asa Carlsson and Karina Habsudova in the Dubai I wasn’t worried because I knew Tauziat battled back to level the tennis Championships at the Dubai Tennis Stadium yesterday. – GN Picture by Asghar Khan even if the match went to the third game at 4-4 with two successive set, I would win,” Hingis said at service breaks but visibly tired the post match press conference French veteran failed to hold her while trying to explain that she own service in the ninth to give (Hingis) held an advantage for Hingis edge (5-4). Hingis served being younger and fresher to last out the match conceding only one A pleasant experience for Martina longer. point in the tenth game. The points, however, were not Martina Hingis with the Dubai Duty Free Women’s Open Singles’ Hingis later praised Tauziat but longer in their final clash as Championship trophy at the Dubai Tennis Stadium yesterday. – GN also pointed out that the level of Champion promises a return to Gulf; falls in love with the different cultural ambience Tauziat’s serve and volley game picture by Ryan Hernandez tennis here and among the top five suited more for short points. women’s players was vastly differ- By Sunil K. Vaidya “There is so much of cultural Stadium. ments in Dubai and Qatar were Hingis didn’t mind short French rival in the first game of the requested Hingis in a jest to give ent.But she disagreed that playing difference in my country and “It was so different here, nor- good in her build up before the exchanges as long as she won the first game and that set the tempo her some match in her last year on in the field below par would be Dubai here, but I really loved this place mally spectators back under- American tour, Hingis said; “I points. There was more consis- for the rest of the match. Tauziat the circuit but there was no a quar- counter productive for her. “I Dubai was a pleasant experience (Dubai),” Hingis said. dogs, contrarily here I was sup- think it was really good that I tency in Hingis‚ play although she was rushing to ter given not asked by Hingis as think it was a good tournament for Martina Hingis, not because Definitely this has been a trip ported,” pointed out Hingis came here.” she won her third title on the to cherish for her. with a broad smile. hit double faults and her first serve the net but Hingis managed to she used her superior skills to for me here and in Qatar,” she And especially, she liked the pass her with some lovely fore- ward off determined Tauziat. WTA Tour this year, but a differ- The pleasant and most sought She was often seen smiling on was not as effective as Tauziat‚s, said. It was a happy ending to the Holleywood-like campaign who served four aces in the first hands shots. Tauziat failed to earn a point as first part of the Dubai Duty Free ent sorts of encounter in the after tennis star at the Dubai court in the final too. designed for the tournament. “I set and two more in the second. The Swiss girl also played mea- Hingis served for 2-0 lead in the production, “Court Warriors‚” - Gulf has made the Swiss Miss Duty Free owned WTA Tour “Oh, that happens whenever I Hingis, who was playing sured lobs to take advantage first set. And, the pattern (Hingis the theme that pleased the star determined to return, at least for event also showered praised on play Tauziat.” made us feel like stars and it is Tauziat in a final for the first time, whenever Tauziat rushed to the not conceding a point) was performer, Hingis, as much the a vacation. the crowd at the Aviation Tennis Acknowledging that tourna- good entertainment too.” saved a game point to break her net. After the match Tauziat repeated three more times in the fans made her happy.

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