Hingis ends year with a bang
Hingis … took good for her Austrian rival. File pic: David Kapernick Hingis ends year with a bang 
Former Australian Captain December 31, 2006
MARTINA Hingis recorded a comprehensive straight-sets victory over Sybille Bammer from Austria in the first round of the Australian Women’s Hardcourt tournament on the Gold Coast today.
Hingis, a five-time grand slam winner, clinical in disposing of world No.49 Bammer 6-0 6-2 on centre court at the Royal Pines complex.
Bammer failed to convert several golden opportunities to punish the world No.7, who ended a terrific year with an impressive 54-19 win-loss record.
The low-key victory was in stark contrast to the hoop-la of last year, when the Swiss returned to professional tennis on the Gold Coast after a three-year absence due to persistent foot and ankle injuries.
Hingis went on to make the semi-finals at Royal Pines before claiming two WTA titles in Rome and Kolkata, India.
She was rarely troubled today as she set up a second-round tie against either Australian wildcard Nicole Pratt or Elena Bovina from Russia.
Another Australianl wildcard, Shannon Golds, earlier fought bravely against world No.54 Catalina Castano from Colombia before losing 6-3 6-4 in her first WTA tournament.
AAP