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| Justine Henin-Hardenne of Belgium plays a forehand against China's Yuan Meng during the first round match of women's singles at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, June 27, 2006. Justine Henin-Hardenne defeated Yuan Meng 6-0, 6-1. (Xinhua/AFP Photo) | BEIJING, June 28(Xinhuanet) -- Former world number one Martina Hingis of Switzerland swept into the second round at Wimbledon with a stylish 6-2 6-2 win over Ukrainian Olga Savchuk on Tuesday, 24 hours after the contest was hit by the rain that washed out most of Monday's play.
Hingis took 62 minutes to beat her rival and secure a second round tie against world number 68 Tathiana Garbin of Italy.
Hingis' straight sets victory also represented a milestone with the former world number one making her first appearance on the lawns of the All England Club for five years.
"It's nice to be back," she said, before revealing that she had done most of her preparation for her return to the grass on an indoor court.
In 1997, Hingis became the tournament's youngest champion since 1887 by winning the title at age 16. Then the Williams sisters began to flex their muscles, and they've won Wimbledon five of the past six years.
Hingis rejoined the tour in January after sitting out three years with foot and ankle injuries, and she reached the quarterfinals at the Australian Open and French Open.
Meanwhile, third seed Justine Henin-Hardenne, who is bidding to win the only Grand Slam that has eluded her, was absolutely ruthless in her 6-0, 6-1 demolition of China's Yuan Meng in just 56 minutes.
"I was very consistent, very aggressive. It was just the kind of match you need in the first round," Henin reported.
She will play either Aiko Nakamura of Japan or Russia's Ekaterina Bychkova in the second round. Enditem
(Agencies)
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| Justine Henin-Hardenne of Belgium stretches to return the ball against China's Yuan Meng during the first round match of women's singles at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, June 27, 2006. (Xinhua/AFP Photo) |
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