Hingis needs to rediscover clinical touch
Martina Hingis bowed out of Wimbledon with a 7-5 3-6 6-4 defeat by Ai Sugiyama admitting she needs to rediscover her clinical touch if her comeback is to progress.
Hingis, continuing her return after a three-year lay-off due to foot and ankle injuries, took a 3-0 lead in the third set but wilted as Sugiyama made a thrilling comeback.
It was a disappointing way for the 25-year-old to exit her first Wimbledon since 2001 but she admitted she ran out of steam as the third-round match reached its crucial stage.
“Maybe in the first set the fact we were playing on grass caused the problems but it was more the aggressiveness – that was a little lacking in the important points,” she said
“It’s about having the confidence. I played well and in the third set I definitely had the momentum but I couldn’t finish it off. The third set was very draining.”
Sugiyama could thank her steely resolve for her place in the fourth round as she looked beaten when Hingis was coasting in the third.
But the Swiss ace made a mess of the fourth game and Sugiyama pounced, overpowering her wilting opponent with some precise work from the baseline.
“I’ve got no excuses – Ai didn’t miss. She played a great match,” said Hingis.
“She’s probably, on this surface, harder to play than on anything else because she’s very fast. She likes those flat balls. I tried to be even faster, but couldn’t.
“Of course I wished go further in the tournament but I faced a tough opponent today.
“Maybe after my matches in the first two rounds everyone thought it would be easy but she’s been around a long time. She’s a tough cookie and a survivor.”
Hingis is pleased with the way her comeback is progressing.
“I feel like I’ve been getting better – in training and here at Wimbledon,” she said.
“In the past losses made me stronger. I knew what I had to work on and continue to progress.”
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