SYDNEY, Australia -- Martina Hingis advanced to the
semifinals of the Adidas International, beating France's Sandrine
Testud 6-4, 6-2 on Thursday.
Hingis, the former top-ranked player and defending champion, is
playing her first tournament since injuring her ankle last October
as she prepares for the Australian Open.
"The most difficult thing for me was probably to believe in
myself again, that you can get up there and just play the way you
are supposed to -- and even better," Hingis said.
She will face fifth-ranked Kim Clijsters, a 7-6 (5), 6-2 winner
over Belgian Fed Cup teammate Justine Henin.
Alexandra Stevenson, who produced the upset of the tournament
Wednesday with a victory over Australian Open champion Jennifer
Capriati, dropped a 6-4, 6-1 decision to fellow American Meghann
Shaughnessy. Shaughnessy will face Serena Williams, who advanced
Wednesday night with a victory over France's Amelie Mauresmo.
In the men's draw, France's Nicolas Escude withdrew before his
quarterfinal because of a groin injury, handing Argentina's Juan
Ignacio Chela a place in the semifinals.
Andy Roddick overcame Asian No. 1 Lee Hyung-taik 6-7 (3), 6-3,
7-5 when the South Korean put a backhand into the net after almost
two hours.
Roddick, the No. 3 seed, moved into a semifinal against No. 2
seed Roger Federer, who beat former world No. 1 Marcelo Rios 6-7
(2), 7-6 (4), 6-3 in their quarterfinal.
Max Mirnyi of Belarus beat Julien Boutter of France 6-4, 6-2 in
the first men's quarterfinal.
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