The American teenager Venus Williams defeated the world number one Martina Hingis, in the second round of the Sydney International tennis tournament.

Williams triumphed in hot and humid conditions to win the match 3-6, 6-4, 7-5.

The 17-year-old got revenge for her embarrassing straight-set defeat last year at the hands of Hingis, in the U.S. Open.

The match was a tough three-set battle, during which both players required treatment for cramps.

Williams, ranked at number 21 said: "I really didn't want to quit because I'd come so far in the heat. I had to go on."

The victory boosts her world ranking to 20.

After Hingis took a medical time-out at 5-5 in the final set, Williams swept through the final two games winning them both at love.

Switzerland's Matina Hingis is disappointed at her loss

Hingis, who won all three of her matches against Williams last year, brushed off the loss as insignificant.

"This was not as important as it was at the U.S. Open ... I'm sure we will have many other matches," she said.

Serena Williams, Venus's 16-year-old sister, was also victorious with the same score, 3-6, 6-4, 7-5 in her first match against 15-year-old Croatian prodigy Mirjana Lucic.

"We want to be at the top together ... If I play my game, and she plays her game, I think we can be there." said the No. 96-ranked Serena.

Britain's Tim Henman begins the defence of his title at the Sydney international tennis tournament later on Tuesday, with match against the Australian Mark Woodforde.
 

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