Hingis shocks Sharapova to reach final

Martina Hingis stunned top seed Maria Sharapova 6-3 6-1 at the Pan Pacific Open yesterday to reach her first final since coming out of retirement.

The former world number one, a Tokyo winner in 1997, 1999, 2000 and 2002, outclassed defending champion Sharapova in every department to earn a place in her seventh Pan Pacific final.

Wildcard Hingis will face another Russian, Elena Dementieva in today's championship match after the second seed's 6-4 3-6 6-4 victory over compatriot Anastasia Myskina.

"It feels like being back in time," a grinning Hingis said. "I knew I still had some game in me. You just have to start believing. I believe I still can play really good tennis.

"It took me three years to recharge my body and my brain. This week I've shown a better game than at the Australian Open."

Sharapova, who was just 15 when ankle injuries forced the Swiss into premature retirement in 2002, simply had no answer to Hingis's guile and precision, surrendering in just 66 minutes.

"She still has a lot of experience and feel for the game," shrugged Sharapova. "In the second set I didn't really have that fighting spirit I usually have."

The 25-year-old Hingis was unranked three weeks ago but climbed to 117th after her strong run in Melbourne. Her victory over Sharapova will lift Hingis to just outside the top 50.

In the later match, Dementieva outlasted fourth seed Myskina in a fiercely contested encounter to set up a fifth career meeting with Hingis.

"For me Martina is the best player in the world," said Dementieva, who won her last two matches against Hingis in 2001 and 2002.

"I'm so excited to play her. But that doesn't mean I'm not going to play. I'll do everything I can to beat her."

O World number one Kim Clijsters could return from injury in time to play in her home tournament in Antwerp starting on Feb. 13. "I've been to the doctor and the ultrasounds have been good," Clijsters said. "I'll do anything to get fit again and secretly hope to still be able to play in Antwerp." Every fan who attends the Antwerp event will receive a free bottle of champagne courtesy of Clijsters. "Kim wants to thank the fans for helping her get back to the number one spot," tournament organiser Bob Verbeeck said. The organisers have ordered over 20,000 bottles at €30 a bottle.

O Roger Federer will not take part in Switzerland's Davis Cup World Group first-round tie against Australia this week. Federer said in a statement he had decided to skip the tie in Geneva, as well as the ATP tournament in Rotterdam on February 20, to recharge his batteries. Swiss captain Severin Luthi will stick with his original selection of Stanislas Wawrinka, George Bastl, Michael Lammer and Yves Allegro for the tie starting on Friday.