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Martina Hingis’s long-awaited comeback to Grand Slam tennis was ended today by Kim Clijsters at the quarter-final stage of the Australian Open. The Belgian player triumphed in three sets over the former world No 1 from Switzerland.
Hingis, playing in her first major tournament since retiring from the game three years ago, was gunning for an improbable fourth title in Melbourne. But Clijsters, who captured her first grand slam at last year’s US Open, won 6-3, 2-6, 6-4.
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Hingis, who quit the game at the age of 22 due to injury, will look back fondly on her return to the spotlight.
Playing as a wild card, she started the event in grand style by thrashing Vera Zvonareva, seeded 30, 6-1, 6-2. That victory served as the launchpad for a run to the last eight, with Emma Laine, of Finland, Iveta Benesova, of the Czech Republic, and Samantha Stosur, of Australia, all failing to win a set against Hingis.
But the 22-year-old Clijsters was a more accomplished opponent and one who has been in the best form of her career in recent months. The second seed won the first four games en route to the opening set triumph but Hingis battled back to level the match at one set apiece.
Clijsters then seized the initiative with an early break in the final set. She led 3-1 before Hingis mounted another fightback and levelled the set at 3-3. Hingis then failed to hold serve in the next game as Clijsters moved back in front and the Belgian won on her own serve for a 5-3 lead. Hingis saved two match points to close to within 5-4 but Clijsters held her nerve and served out for the match.
It has been an excellent two days for the Belgians, with Justine Henin-Hardenne coming from behind to beat Lindsay Davenport, the top seed and 2000 winner, in three sets on Tuesday. Henin-Hardenne, the champion two years ago, will take on Maria Sharapova in the semi-finals.
It was a poor day fro Switzerland, however, as Patty Schnyder, Hingis’s compatriot, was brushed aside by Amelie Mauresmo, 6-3, 6-0. Mauresmo and Clijsters will now meet for the right to play in the Australian Open final.