Clijsters ends Hingis' comeback, Davenport's reign

Kim Clijsters put an end to Martina Hingis' comeback at the Australian Open winning 6-2 3-6 6-4 to book a place in the Australian Open semi-final against Amelie Mauresmo.

Clijsters came out strongly and produced a number of impressive forehand winners to power past Hingis in the first set 6-2.

But Hingis rallied in the second set putting on a solid, controlled performance where she returned everything Clijsters sent her way. As Hingis settled into the game, Clijsters seemed to battle within herself. The Belgian appeared impatient as she made a host of uncharacteristic errors as she lost the set to Hingis 6-2.

In the third set, Clijsters lifted her game and improved her shot selection to get up a break 3-1, before Hingis broke back to equal at 3-3. The Belgian second-seed answered by powering more forehand winners down the line to set up match point at 5-3.

The Swiss former-champion showed she has lost none of the mental toughness she is renowned for in her absence from tennis. Hingis has played only 10 matches since returning to the professional tennis circuit, but showed no sign of nerves as she cooly saved two match points.

While Clijsters served out the match and took the final set 6-4, she praised the fighting spirit of her Swiss opponent. Clijsters said, "She's definitely improved a lot, even compared to when she was at her best."

By winning the match Clijsters elevated herself to the world number one ranking, surging past Lindsay Davenport who lost to Justine Henin-Hardenne on Tuesday.

"After the year I had last year, this is the cherry on the cake," said Clijsters who battled injury problems through 2005."It just tops it off."

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Clijsters and Mauresmo shut out the Swiss (Wed Jan 25)

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