Tennis: Hingis breezes into Australian Open fourth round

MELBOURNE - Former world tennis No 1 Martina Hingis breezed into the fourth round of the Australian Open, crushing Czech Iveta Benesova 6-4 6-1 today.

The rejuvenated Swiss needed only 66 minutes to dismiss her unseeded opponent on a scorching hot Rod Laver Arena at Melbourne Park.

The victory was another significant step in her return to tennis after injury had forced her into an early retirement four years ago.

Still aged only 25, Hingis' ranking of 349 is no reflection of her ability which she displayed to the full in Melbourne.

Benesova, 22, took an early 3-1 lead after breaking Hingis' serve in the fourth game but the Swiss three-times champion broke back immediately and then stamped her authority on the match in a clinical display.

Hingis, a beaten finalist on her last Melbourne appearance in 2002, will play either Australian Samantha Stosur or Austrian Sybille Bammer for the chance to reach the quarterfinals.

- REUTERS