Hingis to face Henin in first round at Sydney

Martina Hingis faces her first major test since announcing her comeback to professional tennis after being drawn to play Justine Henin-Hardenne in the first round of the Sydney International.

Hingis returned to professional tennis in a blaze of publicity last week, four years after she announced retirement because of a series of injuries.

The former world number one made an encouraging start to her comeback, reaching the semi-finals of the Australian women's hardcourt championships on the Gold Coast, but faces a stiff examination in Sydney.

"What a match it promises to be," tournament director Craig Watson said in a statement.

"We are excited about it and there is no doubt it will be the most highly anticipated early clash and tennis fans are sure to fill the centre court."

Henin-Hardenne is also a former world number one on the comeback trail from injury. But while Hingis has been out of the game for four years, the Belgian made her return last season, winning the French Open.

The pair were drawn together after Henin-Hardenne was seeded fifth in Sydney and Hingis was given a wildcard. The top four seeds, Kim Clijsters, Amelie Mauresmo, Patty Schnyder and Nadia Petrova, all received first-round byes.

"That is one amazing match for a first round. Being a seed Justine's name was already on the draw-board and when Martina's name was pulled out from the cup we were all stunned," Watson said.

Safarova wins Hardcourt Championships

Czech teenager Lucie Safarova beat Italian fourth-seed Flavia Pennetta 6-3 6-4 in the final of the Australian women's hardcourt championship at the Gold Coast yesterday.

The 18-year-old Safarova upset her more fancied opponent to capture her third WTA title and the second on a hardcourt and will boost her confidence ahead of the Australian Open.

The left-handed Safarova raced through the opening set in 33 minutes and then took 49 minutes to add the second and clinch the title.

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