Hingis Is Bad News for Seles and Her Four-Year Title Run

Martina Hingis ended Monica Seles’ four-year reign as champion of the $1.05-million du Maurier Open on Sunday, and gathered some momentum for the U.S. Open.

Hingis, who regained her world No. 1 ranking earlier this month, swept Seles, 6-4, 6-4, in a final that took just over than an hour.

The 18-year-old from Switzerland has recovered nicely following a meltdown in the final of the French Open and then a loss in the first round at Wimbledon.

“I feel a bit better than I did after those tournaments,” Hingis said. “I think I also have reason to--winning the last two out of three tournaments.”

Hingis was so giddy while receiving her $150,000 check that she complimented tournament organizer Jane Wynne on her dress and told a Mountie she liked his boots.

Seles, ranked No. 5 in the world and seeded No. 2, has been a fan favorite here ever since she chose the du Maurier to make her comeback in 1995 after taking 27 months off while recovering from being stabbed in the back by a male spectator in 1993.

Hingis ended Seles’ du Maurier match winning streak at 24 and improved to 8-2 in career meetings between the two and 5-0 in tournament finals.