Hingis humbled
NEW YORK – It was surprising enough that Martina Hingis exited the U.S. Open in the second round Thursday night. Even more stunning? Who beat her – and how easily.
Hingis, the five-time Grand Slam champion back on tour after a three-year retirement, lost 6-2, 6-4 to 112th-ranked Virginie Razzano of France in the biggest upset of the tournament so far.
Hingis came into the day with a 44-14 mark this season, with none of the losses to anyone ranked lower than 23rd. Ten of her setbacks came against women who’ve won major championships.
“It’s not only that she played well, but I didn’t play good,” Hingis said. “I was a little flat and tired mentally. It just wasn’t my day.”
Plus, it was the earliest U.S. Open defeat of Hingis’ career. She won the 1997 title, reached two other finals here and never had lost before the fourth round. Razzano, in contrast, never has been past the third round at this or any other major. She began the week with a 9-17 record in 2006, including first-round losses at the French Open and Wimbledon.
“I played my game,” said Razzano, who lost both of her previous matchups with Hingis in straight sets.
About the only intrigue involved in the matches played earlier in the day by Maria Sharapova and Lindsay Davenport was just how lopsided their victories would be. Serena Williams won in straight sets, too, although not before falling behind early. Fellow past champions Justine Henin-Hardenne and Svetlana Kuznetsova never were challenged.
Most of the buzz around the grounds focused on the late match between Andre Agassi and eighth-seeded Marcos Baghdatis – and what tennis was played in the afternoon didn’t exactly thrill. So Agassi provided the day’s signature moment without striking a ball: After a morning practice session, he autographed a teen’s forehead with a marker. Hingis aside, it was one 6-1 set after another for top women, or so it seemed. Well, not for Davenport: She beat Jelena Kostanic 6-0, 6-0 – the first “double bagel” at the U.S. Open since 2002.
“These days don’t happen that often, so you have to be happy when they come your way,” said Davenport.