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13-0 Hingis, Testud easily reach Qatar Open final
DOHA, Qatar (AP) -- Top-seeded Martina Hingis of Switzerland thrashed fourth-seeded Barbara Schett of Austria in straight sets on Saturday to reach the final of the US$170,000 Qatar Open. Hingis, the world's No. 1 tennis player, beat Schett 6-1, 6-2. On Sunday, Hingis will meet third-seeded Sandrine Testud of France in the final. Also Saturday, Testud ended the dream run of Czech player Adriana Gersi by winning their semifinal match 6-1, 6-1 in just 47 minutes. "Schett is a very good player. She was once ranked No. 7 in the world. But I never thought I'd lose against Schett," Hingis said. "I wasn't at my best today but my strength is that I adjust quickly to different situations," Hingis said. "I practiced well for this tournament and I was very keen to reach the final in Doha." Hingis broke Schett twice in the first set. The pressure proved too much for Schett, who hit several returns wide in the 21-minute first set. "It looks as if I won easily but I have worked very hard for this kind of victory. I have become a better player since the U.S. Open last year. The level of my game now is up where I wanted it to be," Hingis said. Schett rebounded with four aces in the second set, but Hingis broke the Austrian's serve in the first and third games to take the match. Testud broke giant-killing Gersi six times in the match as the Frenchwoman never allowed Gersi to get into the rhythm that shocked second-seeded Mary Pierce of France on Wednesday. "I was desperate to reach the final. I was not feeling well at the start of the tournament, but I picked myself up halfway through," said Testud, who was knocked out in the first round of the Paris Open last week. "Before the match I told myself I had to reach the final and that is why I was so keyed up throughout the match. To reach the final was motivation enough for me to do well in the semifinal," she said. Hingis has not lost in 13 matches against Testud. "I am not at all worried about my final against Hingis. She is the world's best player. All matches against her are tough. I was close to beating her on a few occasions but could not. I am under no pressure at all," said Testud. Also on Saturday, Testud and Roberta Vinci of Italy beat the Dutch pair of Kristie Boogert and Miriam Oremans 7-5, 7-6 (4) to win the doubles trophy.
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