NEW YORK -- Going almost two years without a Grand Slam title to call her own has put Martina Hingis on the defensive.

	Martina Hingis says she has reason to smile these days, although the keeper of five Grand Slam titles has yet to win one this year.

While she is struggling on the court to defend her No. 1 world ranking, Hingis also finds it necessary to talk up her cause off the court. She bristled Monday when it was suggested that after an incredible start to her career, she is now experiencing problems.

"Problems?" she shot back following her 6-3 6-1 victory over Russian Alina Jidkova in the first round of the U.S. Open. "What do you mean by problems? I still had a decent career so far."

So far, yes, but the going is getting tougher with the emergence of the Williams sisters and the development of Lindsay Davenport, along with the general improvement of other players. After winning three Grand Slam championships in 1997 and starting 1998 with a victory in the Australian Open, Hingis has added only the 1999 Australian.

"Everybody expects me to do as in '97, which in a way I feel is unfair," said the 19-year-old Swiss. "I have five Grand Slams. Venus and Serena (Williams) each have one. Lindsay has three, but she's 24."

"The Williamses, they're my age. I think so far I've been better than them. I haven't been injured like them. It's the consistency, that's what it counts to be No. 1, not who wins the most tournaments or who hits the ball the fastest.

"I think sometimes people don't understand my game, why I'm up there. The fans, when they watch me, maybe I don't hit the ball as hard as Venus or some of these girls, but I've got a pretty good all-around game. There's no weakness, more or less."

Hingis rues most her missed opportunity at the French Open, where she lost to Mary Pierce in the semifinals.

"Venus lost in the quarters, Serena didn't play, Lindsay lost early (first round) because of her back," she said. "That was definitely my biggest chance to win a Grand Slam this year.

"Mary came out of almost nowhere for this victory, which she deserved; she played very well. I was just too nervous."

Although she has less power than her top rivals, Hingis dismisses any thought of taking controversial muscle-building supplements.

"I don't want to die when I'm 30," she said. "You see different things about people who die so early because of heart problems. I'm scared of that stuff, so I don't. My life is too nice right now and if I start taking something to bulk me up to get bigger, it's not worth it to me. Maybe for other people, not for me."

Also, Hingis pointed out, "If I get bigger, I just get slower, and that's not my game."

As Hingis will tell you, bigger isn't best. And at least for now, she remains number one.