| | Reuters
SYDNEY, Australia -- Switzerland's Martina Hingis
said she had nothing to fear from the Williams sisters after
beating Serena 6-4, 7-5 at the adidas International on Thursday
to firm as favorite for the Australian Open.
|  | | Serena Williams said she was 'rusty' in her loss to Martina Hingis. |
The world No. 1 moved into a semifinal meeting with
Conchita Martinez after beating Serena in 102 minutes, just two
days after she teamed up with Monica Seles to knock Serena and
Venus out of the doubles.
Hingis has not won a singles grand slam title since the
1999 Australian Open but said her win over Serena has given her
a major psychological boost heading into Melbourne.
"I was never really scared of playing them," Hingis said.
"A lot of girls are already intimidated just going on to
the court but I'm the No. 1 player.
"I have to defend my position so I shouldn't be scared of
anything. I know I can play good tennis."
Hingis took the opening set against Serena in 42 minutes
then fought back from 4-1 down in the second to lead 5-4.
Williams, who upset Hingis to win the 1999 U.S. Open final
but was playing only her third match since October, broke back
to square the second set at 5-5 only to lose the next two games
as Hingis picked up the tempo.
"I was a little bit rusty, so I'm doing pretty good
considering," Serena said. "I only played this tournament as a warm-up to the
Australian Open but I feel like I'm getting my rhythm back.
"I should definitely be ready next week."
Last year's Australian Open champion Lindsay Davenport also
breezed into the semifinals on Thursday with a 7-5 6-4 win over
her former doubles partner Lisa Raymond.
The world No. 2 will play Amelie Mauresmo in Friday's
semifinals after the muscular Frenchwoman upset third-seed
Seles 6-4 7-6.
Martinez claimed the fourth semifinal berth with a 6-4 6-0
win over Corina Morariu.
Mauresmo beat Davenport in last year's Sydney final but
failed to win another title all year as she struggled with back
pain.
She experienced more problems with her back on Thursday but
was able to overcome the discomfort to post her first win over
Seles.
"The main thing is that I stayed on court," said Mauresmo,
who was beaten by Hingis in the 1999 Australian Open final.
"Mentally, it's good that I went through this one."
Sixth-seed Sebastien Grosjean and Swede Jonas Bjorkman both
cruised through to the semifinals of the men's draw.
Grosjean beat Hingis' Swiss Hopman Cup partner Roger
Federer 7-5 6-4 while Bjorkman defeated Germany's Rainer
Schuttler 6-3 6-4.
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ALSO SEE
Thursday's results
Kuerten, Hingis get top seeds for Australian Open
Australian Open Seeds
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