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Perfect timing

Switzerland's Schnyder wins in Australian hardcourt final

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Posted: Saturday January 09, 1999 09:54 AM

GOLD COAST, Australia (AP) -- Switzerland's Patty Schnyder defeated top seed Mary Pierce of France in three sets Saturday to win the Australian women's hardcourt tennis championships.

The Swiss second seed defeated Pierce 4-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-2 for her second Women's Tennis Association victory in Australia, having won the Hobart International last year.

The win at the Hope Island Tennis Club was Schnyder's first in four attempts against the world No. 7 and should move the 20-year-old from a world ranking of 11 at the end of 1998 to eight.

In the final set Pierce appeared to run out of steam and Schnyder broke twice to win the match.

Pierce will have a week off before the Australian Open in Melbourne while Schnyder will play at the Adidas International in Sydney beginning next week.

 

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