Hingis, Dementieva Reach Toray Pan Pacific Open Final
TOKYO, Japan - Resurgent former world No.1 Martina Hingis cruised past Russian teenager Maria Sharapova and will next face another Russian, Elena Dementieva, as semifinal action took place in Tokyo at the 2006 Toray Pan Pacific Open, a $1,340,000 Tier I event on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour.
In what appeared to be a flashback to her years as the world No.1, Hingis ran the top-seeded, defending champion Sharapova all over the court during a one-hour, six-minute 63 61 victory, using clever angles and down-the-lines as well as forays into the net to finish points. The 25-year-old Swiss's second serve, often considered her most attackable shot, held up brilliantly, winning on 11 of 15 points. In addition to solid serving, she converted on four of 10 break opportunities while allowing Sharapova no looks at a break.
"Yesterday when you asked me what I needed to do to beat Maria, I said I'd like to serve at 100% and make zero unforced errors," a jubilant Hingis told the media on Saturday. "I think I came pretty close to that because I served pretty good and only made a handful of mistakes."
A lucky netcord helped Hingis obtain a service break in the eighth game of the first set, but there was no luck in the ace she served on set point, with her first delivery clearly a bigger weapon than it was in the past.
"It was very competitive in the first set," added Hingis. "I think we were both feeling each other out, seeing how each other played, and what shots we chose to make. I was lucky to break her in the eighth game and I hit an ace to take the set. I was very happy about that and I think that gave me a lot of confidence to go on to win the match."
"When I look back, there were chances I could have taken and didn't," said defending champion Sharapova, whose 10-match win streak in Japan (also 2004 Japan Open champion) came to an end with the loss. "In the second set especially, I didn't have my usual 'fight to the end'. It wasn't any particular point, but a little here and there made a big difference."
Although she has clearly proven herself in the past with the No.1 ranking and five Grand Slam singles titles, a run to the final of the Toray Pan Pacific Open is a surprise for Hingis, who is playing just the fourth tournament of her full-scale 2006 comeback and is currently ranked No.117. On Sunday she will contest her 67th career Tour singles final, seeking her 41st Tour singles title, her last victory coming at this event four years ago. She is now 28-3 at this event, and will be going for her fifth title here on Sunday.
"I think the secret to the success of my comeback was that I was able to recharge my body and mind," noted Hingis. "The difference between before and now is that I'm stronger mentally. Until today, I played like I had nothing to lose because there was nowhere to go but up, but now I'm gaining momentum and I know that the game is still in me. Now it's what I make of it; the key is to stay healthy."
Awaiting Hingis in the final will be Dementieva, seeded No.2 this week, who outlasted good friend and fellow Russian Anastasia Myskina, seeded No.4, in Saturday's second semifinal. The two compatriots were matching up for the 15th time, and for the ninth time they went to three sets, with Dementieva gaining the crucial break mid-way through the final set and hanging onto her serve the rest of the way to close it out 64 36 64 in nearly two hours.
"I felt like it was a very close match," said Dementieva. "We know each other very well and it was just a question of a couple of points who was going to be the winner today."
Dementieva now has a chance at winning her biggest title to date, her four prior tournament victories all coming at the Tier II level or lower. The 24-year-old from Moscow has claimed two Tier II titles, at Amelia Island and Shanghai in 2003, and two Tier III titles, at Bali in 2003 and Hasselt in 2004. She has reached several big stage finals, including at Roland Garros and the US Open in 2004 and four Tier Is, but has never converted on the last match.
"I'm really looking forward to playing Martina tomorrow," said Dementieva. "This is my first final in Japan and to play Hingis is an unbelievable opportunity for me. For me, she is the No.1 player in the world. She's playing better now than when she retired three years ago."
The two finalists have travelled very different paths to this week's final. Hingis only had one struggle, against No.3 seed Nathalie Dechy in the second round, battling past the former world No.11 46 75 62. She has had an easy time in her other three rounds however, losing a total of just seven games in notching her fourth career double-bagel against Korea's Yoon Jeong Cho in the first round and cruising past Russian teenagers Maria Kirilenko and Sharapova in the quarterfinals and semifinals. Dementieva has had a much tougher road, defeating Slovenia's Katarina Srebotnik 26 61 75 in her opening round, moving past No.5 seed Nicole Vaidisova 36 61 62 in the quarters and then going to three sets again on Saturday against Myskina in the semis.
The Toray Pan Pacific Open boasts an incredible roster of former champions, including former No.1 players Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf, Hingis, Lindsay Davenport and Sharapova. Other winners are Manuela Maleeva-Fragnière, Gabriela Sabatini, Pam Shriver, Kimiko Date and Iva Majoli. Former finalists include Helena Sukova, Arantxa Sánchez-Vicario, Amanda Coetzer and Monica Seles. First prize this year is $196,900, while the runner-up receives $105,800.
Sorry to all Martina fans but
DAVAI LENA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Ily who are you siding with?
)
)
Sixpack guard 
i recognised dementieva hingis n hantuchova but couldnt place the other 2
