Hantuchova breaks singles duck

Hantuchova is tipped for stardom

Daniela Hantuchova shocked second seed Martina Hingis to win the Indian Wells Masters in straight sets.

The 18-year-old Slovakian sealed her first singles title with a 6-3 6-4 victory in just 75 minutes.

"I'm just so excited to play my best tennis in the final," said Hantuchova.

"It's like a dream. I believed I could win right from the first point if I just played my game."

A confident Hingis began the match on a threatening note by breaking Hantuchova's opening serve.

But the 18th seed was not intimidated by the former world number one and immediately broke back.

Hantuchova kept her nerve to claim victory

Displaying unexpected poise, Hantuchova continued her aggressive play to achieve a break at 5-3. She then held serve to take the opening set.

Hantuchova stepped up the pressure by breaking the Swiss to start the second set and refused to allow her opponent back into the match.

When Hingis broke to cut the deficit to 4-2, Hantuchova immediately broke back.

But, serving for the title, Hantuchova's nerves began to fray and Hingis pounced to break.

Hantuchova, however, would not be denied, serving out the match with a pinpoint forehand to the corner of the court that left Hingis glued to the baseline watching helplessly.