Martina Hingis moved closer to a possible repeat of the last year’s Australian Open quarterfinal versus Kim Clijsters when she eased past Aiko Nakamura in their third round match at the Rod Laver Arena, 6-2, 6-1, in sixty-two minutes.
The Swiss beat her Japanese foe in all the aspects of the game with four aces to none, a single double fault to four,18 winners to 8, and 14 unforced errors to 25. There was nothing Nakamura could do against the three-time-champion Hingis, who made successful net approaches during the match.
Hingis raced to a 3-0 lead before Nakamura won a couple of games. In just twenty-nine minutes, Hingis wrapped up the first set of the match.
In the second set, both players held their respective serves 1-1 in the first two games. The next four games saw Hingis use her court guile, moving Nakamura around the court, then made successful net approaches. Nakamura could only look as Hingis served for the match and eventually win the set, 6-1.
Hingis battles Chinese Na Li, the lone standing Asian in the women’s draw who battled past Dinara Safina 6-2,6-2, in the other third round .match.
“Well, it’s always a great feeling to be in the second week of a Grand Slam. That’s what you come here for. Being seeded sixth, that’s what you expect at least. I’m happy I was able to at least fulfill my commitment so far,” Hingis said when asked what was her assessment of her recent win.
