Hingis marks US comeback with easy victory

By Matthew Cronin

INDIAN WELLS (Reuters) – In her first appearance on U.S.
soil in over three years, Martina Hingis routed France’s
Camille Pin 6-1 6-3 in the second round of the Pacific Life
Open on Friday.

Hingis, who last competed in America when she fell to
Monica Seles in the fourth round of the 2002 U.S. Open, was
overjoyed with the reception she received.

“It’s great,” said Hingis, who won the title in 1998.
“Wherever I go, people are very welcoming and friendly.”

Putting on a impressive all-court display, the 25-year-old
Hingis showed the same stellar form that once brought her the
world number one ranking and five grand slam titles.

“Maybe I have this little underdog thing now, not being out
there for three years and coming back,” Hingis said. “You’ve
seen that in the past with some other athletes and it’s nice to
feel the same way.”

Hingis will now face Austria’s Sybille Bammer, who upset
number 15 seed Jelena Jankovic 7-5 6-4.

DOUBLE BAGEL

Second seed Lindsay Davenport got off the court quickly,
devastating fellow American Ashley Harkleroad 6-0 6-0 in 53
minutes.

A two-time champion here, Davenport completely overpowered
her foe.

“We had a few really close games in the beginning that I
was able to come through,” said Davenport. “It seemed like as
the match went on, she probably lost a little confidence, and I
felt like I was playing better and better.”

Third seed Maria Sharapova had to play patiently in
overcoming Jamea Jackson 6-4 6-3, but was pleased with her
effort in cold, windy conditions.

“She’s a great mover and makes you play another ball, but I
was ready for that,” Sharapova said.”

Anna-Lena Groenefeld crushed fellow German Julia Schruff
6-1 6-0, while number five seed Anastasia Myskina plastered
Mashona Washington 6-2 6-2.

However, Estonia’s Maret Ani upset ninth seed Nathalie
Dechy of France 2-6 6-2 6-2.

None of the men’s seeds saw action on Friday, but two-time
grand slam champion Marat Safin played a solid contest in
downing Amer Delic 6-3 6-2.

Playing in just his second tournament of the year after
spending most the second half of 2005 nursing a knee injury,
the big Russian was impressive in the way he controlled the
American.

“I’m just hoping to play as many tournaments I can to get
my ranking back,” former world number one Safin said.

“I don’t expect anything great here at all. My injury will
never go away. It’s already become so chronic there’s no chance
to fix it so I can play without pain.”

Safin will face 28th seed Carlos Moya of Spain.

British teen sensation Andy Murray moved ahead with a 6-2
6-1 over Greece’s Vasilis Mazarakis.

“I played pretty consistently,” said Murray, who will play
fifth seed Nikolay Davydenko in the second round.

“He normally expects players to go for winners and I played
pretty solid, used my slice and I made him go for it. When he
did, he started to make mistakes.”

British veteran Tim Henman also advanced with a 6-3 6-1
victory over American teenager Donald Young. He’ll face number
23 seed Tomas Berdych.