February 05, 2007	Monday	Muharram 16, 1428

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TOKYO, Feb 4: Former world No 1 Martina Hingis thrashed Serbia's Ana Ivanovic 6-4, 6-2 to win a record fifth Pan Pacific Open title on Sunday.

The Swiss second seed completely outclassed Ivanovic, wrapping up a one-sided final in 71 minutes to capture her third singles title since returning full-time to the WTA Tour in 2006.

It was also a 43rd career singles title for Hingis, who previously won in Tokyo in 1997, 1999, 2000 and 2002 and was a losing finalist on three other occasions.

Hingis won five Grand Slam singles titles between 1997 and 1999 before quitting the game at the end of 2002 due to nagging foot and ankle trouble.

Ivanovic had beaten Hingis in Montreal last year in their only other meeting, but the fifth seed had no answer to Hingis's unerring precision and clever use of angles.

Hingis, who reached the quarter-finals of last month's Australian Open, is set to remain at number six when the new world rankings are released on Monday.

Hingis earned $182,000 for her victory. She is currently fourth in the WTA's all-time list of women's prize money winners with just under $20 million.

Ivanovic, who reached the final after world number one Maria Sharapova retired in their semi-final with a hamstring injury, is projected to rise to 14th in the new rankings.

BLAKE, MALISSE IN FINAL

MIAMI: Top seed James Blake was scheduled to play tournament specialist Xavier Malisse in the Delray Beach International final on Sunday.

American Blake beat Germany's Benjamin Becker 6-3, 7-6 after Belgian Malisse had crushed Vincent Spadea 6-2, 6-2 in windy conditions on Saturday to reach the final for the fifth time.

Results:

Semi-finals: 1-James Blake (US) beat 4-Benjamin Becker (Germany) 6-3, 7-6 (9-7); 3-Xavier Malisse (Belgium) beat 8-Vince Spadea (US) 6-2, 6-2.—Reuters