SINGAPORE: Martina Hingis’s glittering career came to a sudden end on Saturday when she suffered a shock doubles defeat at the WTA Finals — her last tournament before retiring.
Hingis and Taiwan’s Chan Yung-Jan, the world’s top pairing and reigning US Open champions, were beaten by third-ranked Timea Babos and Andrea Hlavackova 6-4, 7-6 (7/5) in the Singapore semifinals.
It ended a 19-match winning streak for Hingis and Chan — and halted one of the great careers in tennis.
Hingis won five Grand Slam singles titles after she emerged as a teenage prodigy in the 1990s, and later found success as a specialist in doubles, in which she has a further 20 major wins.
The “Swiss Miss,” now 37, has retired twice before — once after testing positive for a metabolite of cocaine — but she said it was “definite” this time.
Hingis and Chan were broken twice early in the first set and were unable to thwart their opponents’ inspired play.
The match took a twist when Babos injured her ankle late in the second set, but she gamely battled on to help deny Hingis a chance at a fairytale ending.
Hingis, who inspired a young Roger Federer, said this week she wanted to remain in tennis after retirement, possibly as a coach.
“I think now it’s definite. It’s different, because before I walked away thinking I might come back,” she told reporters on Thursday.
“After a season like this, I think it’s also perfect timing. You know, you want to stop on top and not when you’re already going backwards.
“I couldn’t ask for a better finish.”
Even though they lost, Hingis and Chan had already secured the year-end number one ranking in women’s doubles.
Hingis’s tennis career ends with shock WTA Finals defeat
Hingis’s tennis career ends with shock WTA Finals defeat
Eala electrifies packed crowd with remarkable comeback win at Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open
- Filipina star defeated Sasnovich 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 in thrilling encounter to secure quarterfinal spot
ABU DHABI: On a dramatic day at the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, Filipina star Alexandra Eala delivered the headline moment, emerging a 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 winner from a thrilling near three-hour epic against Aliaksandra Sasnovich.
The electric atmosphere at packed Stadium Court proved pivotal as Eala fought back from 4-0 down in the deciding set, with the crowd’s roaring support spurring her on through a dramatic tiebreak victory that secured her place in the quarterfinals. The Filipina star’s remarkable comeback had the stands erupting in celebration.
“The support is really great (in Abu Dhabi),” said Eala following her victory.
“I’ve been in a lot of positions before with a lot of people, but this year has really stepped up a notch. With every match I play in these environments, I’m learning to have fun and enjoy it. What’s special here is seeing the crowd get excited, and knowing there are so many Filipino expats in the region who come together for moments like this. It’s a platform for them to celebrate and share in something they’re excited about. I’m really grateful for that support.”
Earlier in the day, Ekaterina Alexandrova proved too strong for Dayana Yastremska in straight sets, while Czech qualifier Sara Belem produced a stunning upset over former finalist Jelena Ostapenko. British No. 2 Sonay Kartal also advanced, defeating lucky loser Renata Zarazua in straight sets — Zarazua stepping in after defending champion Belinda Bencic unfortunately withdrew due to illness.
On the doubles side, the quarterfinals saw Perez and Schurs defeat Alexandrova and Joint in a super tiebreak, while Khromacheva and Klepac progressed in a closely contested three-set battle. Kenin and Krawczyk advanced via walkover.
