Hingis wins again!

Martina Hingis of Switzerland raises her arms to celebrate winning the women's final over Meghann Shaughnessy of the United States at the Sydney International tennis tournament in Sydney Saturday, Jan. 12, 2002. Hingis won the match 6-2, 6-3. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

Swiss tennis timing perfect in Sydney
By Julian Linden


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SYDNEY (Reuters) - Martina Hingis and Roger Federer have completed a unique Swiss double at the Sydney International, winning both the women's and men's singles finals.


Hingis showed no signs of the leg problem that forced her to pull out of Friday's doubles final to beat American Meghann Shaughnessy 6-2 6-3 and win the women's title for the third time in six years on Saturday.


Federer, who teamed up with Hingis to win last year's Hopman Cup for Switzerland, landed his second career title when he defeated Argentina's Juan Ignacio Chela 6-3 6-3 in the men's final.


Hingis hardly raised a sweat on a blustery day at Sydney's Olympic tennis centre as she captured her first title in 11 months to boost her confidence going into next week's Australian Open after a three-month injury layoff.


"It feels great, it's been a while," said Hingis, who was playing her first event since ankle surgery in October.


"I probably exceeded my own expectations by doing so well so quickly, but I'm here, I'm back and I'm playing well."


Hingis, 21, lost her number one ranking when she tore three ligaments in her ankle last October but recovered in time to make her comeback in Sydney, which she had already won in 1997 and 2001.


She had an injury scare in Friday's semifinals when she strained her left thigh during her three set win over Kim Clijsters, forcing her to withdraw from the doubles final.


But she appeared to be untroubled by the problem as she outclassed Shaughnessy in a lop-sided final to claim her 39th career title.


"Sometimes things just happen for a reason, I guess, and this (the ankle injury) was definitely one thing that turned out for the better," said Hingis, who is chasing her first grand slam since winning the 1999 Australian Open.


"It gave me time to rest and relax my mind as well and I'm enjoying myself much more out there now."


Shaughnessy claimed her second career title last year to finish the season ranked 11th but was unable to match Hingis' superior all-round game in the flukey winds.


"She was just too good for me. Champions like her step up in finals," the American said.


"I had a great week, a good build-up to the Australian Open, and hopefully I'll learn from this experience."


PRECISION TIMING


Federer claimed his second career title after breaking through to win in Milan last year with a 50-minute victory over Chela to enhance his prospects in Melbourne next week.


Federer dropped only one set on the way to the final, and was quickly in control against Chela, breaking the Argentine baseliner in the sixth game to take the first set.


Federer broke Chela early in the second set to put himself in position to win then broke him again in the final game to claim the title.


"I'm happy to start a year like this," said Federer, who finished last season ranked 12th.


"I really didn't expect to win this tournament."

Martina Hingis of Switzerland raises her trophy after winning the women's final over Meghann Shaughnessy of the United States at the Sydney International tennis tournament in Sydney Saturday, Jan. 12, 2002. Hingis won the match 6-2, 6-3. (AP Photo/Rob Grifftih)