| TOKYO (TICKER) -- Top seed Martina Hingis of Switzerland
captured her third title in four years at the Pan Pacific Open when she
defeated sixth seed Sandrine Testud of France in the final of the $1.08
million indoor event.
Hingis successfully defended her title with a 6-3, 7-5 victory over
Testud today, and collected $166,000.
Coming off a loss to American Lindsay Davenport in the Australian Open
final, Hingis did not drop a set all week en route to her first title of
the season and the 27th of her career. Hingis, 19, also won here in 1997
and 1999 and lost to Davenport in the final two years ago.
"It's very good to win here in Japan," Hingis said. "It's nice because
after the losing the final in Melbourne, now I can go home with a victory.
(My game) has been picking up. I reached the semis in Sydney, the final
in Melbourne, and now a win here."
Testud failed in her attempt to win her third career title and her first
since 1998 as the 27-year-old fell to Hingis for the eighth time in as
many meetings. With her performance this week, Testud will move to a career-high
ranking of No. 10 next week.
"I'm very happy for his week," Testud said. "I played some very good
matches. Today I played Martina Hingis, she's the best player in the world.
I had to try to play aggressive, more than I usually do. I had to take
more chances but I had few opportunities today."
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