Gritty Williams Trips Top-Seeded Hingis

Down a set and a break, her legs quivering with cramps, Venus Williams showed the spirit that is the mark of a champion.

In a tuneup for next week’s Australian Open, her match with Martina Hingis was no longer about strokes or style, rankings or reputations. It was about will, a desire by Williams to find a way, any way, to beat a player who had beaten her three times.

Williams found a way to win, defeating Hingis for the first time, 3-6, 6-4, 7-5. Hingis is ranked No. 1, Williams No. 21.

Venus’ sister, Serena, then joined her sister in the quarterfinals with a victory over Sandrine Testud.

Also, 16-year-old Australian Lleyton Hewitt took a 6-3, 6-7 (7-4), 6-4 victory over No. 4-ranked Jonas Bjorkmann of Sweden.