Hingis storms to Qatar title

Hingis won her 37th career title

Qatar Open final

M Hingis (Swi) bt S Testud (Fra)
6-3 6-2

Martina Hingis romped to the WTA Qatar Open title by beating Frenchwoman Sandrine Testud 6-3 6-2.

The Swisswoman was broken by Testud in the third game of the first set, but that scare failed to upset her rhythm as she rallied to break back in the sixth.

The Frenchwoman was broken again in the eighth game after not dealing with a superb backhand down the line from Hingis.

She makes very few mistakes

  Sandrine Testud

Testud found it hard to deal with Hingis' powerful baseline play.

She failed to hold serve in the first and fifth game of the second set, and the contest was all but over.

It was Hingis' 37th career title, but the champion was keen to state that the final was no walkover.

"It wasn't an easy match as the scoreline may suggest," she said.

"It was a tough one because Testud has a very good serve. She is reputed for that.

"Her backhand is also quite strong. And as was evident early on in the match, she relied on her strong points to get into a rhythm. She did not give me many chances.

"But once I tied her 3-3 in the first set I, too, got into form and perhaps began to play my best game here. I started to return well and I gained control of the match. From then on I knew I was safe."

Testud paid tribute to Hingis.

"It is difficult to play against a player like her. She makes very few mistakes," added the Frenchwoman.

"On the contrary, I made several mistakes in the second set. I didn't serve well, which is normally my strong point."