Hingis has stamina to overcome challenge of Tauziat

Martina Hingis survived a second-set lapse to record a three-set quarter-final victory over the French sixth seed, Nathalie Tauziat, in the WTA Chase Championships at Madison Square Gardens here. The Swiss top seed defeated the Frenchwoman 6-1 6-7 6-2 on Thursday to reach the semi-finals for the fourth time in five years.

Martina Hingis survived a second-set lapse to record a three-set quarter-final victory over the French sixth seed, Nathalie Tauziat, in the WTA Chase Championships at Madison Square Gardens here. The Swiss top seed defeated the Frenchwoman 6-1 6-7 6-2 on Thursday to reach the semi-finals for the fourth time in five years.

After cruising through the first set in 22 minutes, Hingis stopped dictating the play and began pushing the ball. Tauziat took full advantage; she dominated the tie-breaker, winning the first five points.

But in the deciding set, Hingis increased the tempo once more and took a 5-0 lead before claiming her fifth victory in as many meetings with Tauziat.

Anna Kournikova hammered the former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez in straight sets on Thursday to set up a semi-final against Hingis, her doubles partner.

Kournikova comprehensively outplayed the fourth-seeded Spaniard in a 6-4 6-0 quarter-final victory.

It was the seventh-seeded Kournikova's first victory in three appearances at the season-ending championships and put her within two wins of what would be her first-ever tournament title.