Hingis Continues Climb

Martina Hingis, the 14-year-old Swiss sensation, fought off a hot wind and drenching humidity in the course of a tenacious 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (9-7) first-round victory against 47th-ranked Sandrine Testud of France at the du Maurier Ltd. Open tennis tournament.

“I didn’t think I’d be at No. 20 in the world so quickly,” said Hingis, who turned professional last September immediately after her 14th birthday and is already ranked 21st in the world.

In other first-round action, Belgium’s Sabine Appelmans, beat Venus Williams, 15, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3) in 93 minutes.