Martina Hingis’ Australian Open warm-up was cut short during the first round of the Medibank International when Jelena Jankovic beat her, 4-6,6-4,3-6, in two hours and six minutes.
Jankovic, fresh from her recent ASB Classic win in Auckland, proved too much for Hingis in the first set, moved her around the court. Though both players had one ace a piece, Hingis double faulted twice and Jankovic had none. In the second set, Hingis found her rythm and turn the
table against Jankovic. Hingis pushed the match for a third deciding set when she won the second set, 6-4. Despite nearly fainting at the end of the second set, Jankovic started the third set, and led Hingis 4-2. Hingis then managed to break Jankovic’s serve at 5-3, but could not hold her serve, losing the third set, and the game 3-6.
“I always take positive out of a loss,” Hingis said.”Endurance-wise, it definitely was good playing three sets going into Melbourne. I have a few days off now so I should be fresh when I get there.”
