Hingis Defeats Capriati In Sydney International

Martina Hingis collected her third career singles title and further boosted her Australian Open prospects by beating Jennifer Capriati 6-1, 5-7, 6-1 early today at the Sydney International in Australia.

Hingis, 16, won the women’s final in 84 minutes. Earlier, Tim Henman became the first British player since 1902 to win the men’s singles title when he beat Spaniard Carlos Moya 6-3, 6-1.

The win was Henman’s first ATP Tour title and was expected to push his singles ranking to No. 14 in the world, up from No. 24.

Hingis, the tournament’s second seed, overcame a determined second-set comeback by Capriati, 20, who is continuing her second return to the women’s tour.

At Melbourne, Australia, Michael Chang beat Pete Sampras 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 to win the Colonial Classic exhibition tennis tournament for the third straight year.

Wind and rain from Cyclone Drena washed out the quarterfinals of the New Zealand Open men’s tournament. Jan-Michael Gambill of Colbert had a 2-1 lead over Jonas Bjorkman of Sweden when their match was halted. Organizers hope to play the quarterfinals and semifinals today.