| | Associated Press
PARIS -- A relaxed Mary Pierce enjoyed a second victory at
the French Open on Sunday, teaming with Martina Hingis to win the
women's doubles final.
Less than 24 hours after Pierce defeated Conchita Martinez to
capture the singles title at Roland Garros, the Frenchwoman was
back on center court.
Only a handful of fans were in place for the start of the match
against Virginia Ruano Pascual of Spain and Paola Suarez of
Argentina. Pierce and Hingis won 6-2, 6-4.
Pierce was a far more carefree player Sunday. The deep breathing
and nervous gestures from Saturday were gone, replaced with smiles,
laughter and high-fives.
In capturing the doubles, Pierce equaled the 1967 performance of
Francoise Durr, the last Frenchwoman to win the singles title. Durr
also won the doubles title that year with Gail Sheriff.
Pierce might have been smiling Sunday but her body was showing
the strain of the two-week tournament. Her left leg was bandaged
above and below the knee because of swelling but it did not stop
her from slamming winners.
Hingis and Pierce won the first set easily but fell behind 4-0
in the second. Hingis and Pierce then won the final six games.
Pierce, 25, paid tribute to her younger partner, who is ranked
No. 1 in singles.
"It's super to play with her, and she has huge amounts of
talent," she said. "We have a lot of fun."
Added the 19-year-old Hingis: "She played a great tournament
and it was a lot of fun playing with her."
Next up for Pierce is some rest, and perhaps, a chance to
celebrate her doubles triumph.
"Last night, I just ate with my family and tried to go to bed
early," she said.
For Hingis, the doubles trophy is a consolation prize. Pierce
beat the Swiss star 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in the singles semifinals, a
harsh loss coming after last year's defeat against Steffi Graf in a
final remembered more for Hingis' tantrums than tennis.
But all that was forgotten in Sunday's sunshine. As they posed
for a photo before the match, Pierce put her arm around Hingis'
shoulders. When Pierce put new tape on her leg during the match,
Hingis held the bandages in place.
But that's doubles. Asked later whether Pierce could become
world No. 1, Hingis laughed, pretended to choke her partner and
said, "Hopefully, not."
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