Hingis takes down Bammer in tourney's opening round
GOLD COAST, Australia -- Martina Hingis beat Sybille Bammer 6-0, 6-2 Sunday at the Australian Women's Hardcourt Championship, where she started her successful comeback year.
The former top-ranked Hingis returned here last season after three years on the sideline and reached the semifinals. She later reached the quarterfinals at the Australian Open, an event she won three straight times beginning in 1997.
The Swiss star, who finished the 2006 season at No. 7 in the world rankings, gets New Year's Day off before a second-round meeting with either Elena Bovina or Nicole Pratt.
"I'll have a day off tomorrow, and I can probably toast the win at midnight," Hingis said.
The differences between the start of the upcoming season and last season include a comfort level on the court, she said.
"Now I'm No. 7 in the world, I've won a couple of tournaments and played some great matches against top players so I know I can handle myself out there," Hingis said. "Last year I didn't know and I found out after a few rounds, but it definitely took me a while to get used to the nerves."
In other matches, Australian wild-card entry Sophie Ferguson ousted eighth-seeded Ai Sugiyama of Japan 7-6 (4), 6-4 and Elena Vesnina of Russia beat Maria Elena Camerin of Italy 6-3, 6-2.
Catalina Castano of Columbia beat local wild-card entry Shannon Golds 6-3, 6-4, Severine Bremond of France beat Czech player Iveta Benesova 0-6, 6-4, 6-2 and Milagros Sequera of Venezuela had a 6-4, 6-2 win over Ekaterina Ivanova of Russia.
Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press
