Hingis upsets Sharapova to reach Tokyo final

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Martina Hingis stunned top seed Maria Sharapova 6-3 6-1 at the Pan Pacific Open on Saturday to reach her first final since coming out of retirement.

The funny part is that only now are the "delay tactics" of Sharapova getting noticed in the written press. Seems to coincide with the media's general dislike of her...

Sharapova even resorted to delaying tactics, turning her back several times as Hingis prepared to serve to slow her down -- but to no avail.

Sharapova's comments don't give much insight into why this was such a one-sided match- perhaps it was just mental for her, since she had never played Hingis and this match was very publicized.

"She still has a lot of experience and feel for the game," said a dejected Sharapova. "In the second set I didn't really have that fighting spirit I usually have.

"You know, 'Could've, would've, should've' but didn't."

Here's proof of some of the odd hype surrounding this match:

Tennis fans in all over the world had been waiting the dream match. It will be realized in the Semi final of Toray PPO tennis tournament on Feb.4th(Sat).
When M.Hingis proclaimed to come back everybody in the world dreamed the match M.Hingis VS M.Sharapova.
"Fairy on the court" and "Genius girl" will play the match for the first time in the world. The match is in the spotlight and will be held here in Japan. We truly hope you to come and see it or enjoy it on TV.

Toshio Noji
Tournament Director