TENNIS
Mail & Guardian reporter
Martina Hingis and Jennifer Capriati are to meet again in the final of the Australian Open. For Hingis it will be her sixth consecutive Melbourne final, and for Capriati a chance to retain her women’s singles crown. But to predict a winner from the pair will be more tricky, after they both had to overcome difficulties in winning their semi-finals today.
Hingis beat Monica Seles, 4-6 6-1 6-4 as she struggled to see off an opponent who not only has a great history at Melbourne Park, but was in great form too. “I had to do something, Monica was playing so well just hitting winners,” said Hingis, who won her last major in Australia in 1999. “I was just trying to make her move whenever I could.”
Asked whether she had the ability to beat Capriati this weekend, Hingis said: “I believe in it again. I’ve played some great matches to get here and am looking forward to playing the final.”
The current champion also had her difficulties in shaking off Belgian teenager Kim Clijsters, 7-5 3-6 6-1. Both women played out a titanic French Open final at Roland Garros last year, with Capriati prevailing 12-10 in the third set. But on Thursday she made more effective use of her extra power when it mattered.
Looking forward to the final, Capriati said: “For the first time, going up against her, it’s like I’m the one favoured to win. I know how she feels being in that position, because I was in that position last year. I know she wants it bad, but I want it bad too.”
Thomas Johannson beat Jiri Novak to set up a clash with Marat Safin or Tommy Haas in the men’s final.