Hingis triumphs in Dubai

DUBAI, FEB. 25. World No. 1 Martina Hingis won her third title of the year and her second in two weeks, when she defeated third seed Nathalie Tauziat of France 6-4, 6-4 in the final of the Dubai tennis championship on Saturday.

It was far from being a classic final. The Swiss continued to make an uncharacteristic number of errors, and the 33-year-old Tauziat admitted that she was feeling tired after a tough week in which she competed in both singles and doubles. Hingis intimidated Tauziat in the very first game, firing three winning returns and breaking her serve to lead 1-0.

When Hingis broke again to lead 5-2 it appeared as if the match would be entirely one-sided, but Tauziat managed to stage a minor comeback.

Holding off a set point at 5-2, she broke Hingis and then saved another three set points on her own serve, before Hingis finally managed to settle the issue. The second set followed a similar pattern, with Hingis breaking again 1-0 and then again to lead 4- 1. But Tauziat again fought back, using some fine serve and volleying to keep herself in contention.

Tauziat broke back twice to level at 4-4, but then failed to hold serve in the next game as a desperate recovery shot left Hingis with an easy overhead for a 5-4 lead.

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Section  : Sport
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