Hingis-Kournikova Win the Doubles

Two beauties on the same ship reached the top.

Beautiful stars of women’s tennis, Martina Hingis (22, Switzerland) and Anna Kournikova (21, Russia). The popular stars with good looks and excellent talents won the Australian Open women’s doubles title.

In the final match that took place at the Melbourne Park, Australia, Hingis and Kournikova defeated Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario (Spain) and Daniela Hantuchova (Slovakia) by 2-1 (6-2, 6-7, 6-1).

It was in 1999 that Hingis and Kournikova first teamed up, but the two have been repeating break-ups and team-ups since then.

The reason was that Hingis had troubles with Kournikova who was preoccupied with modeling and advertising. They had been walking on different paths, except in 2000 when they joined each other, but met again since the last season. Hingis was lacking in popularity that the sexy star Kournikova enjoyed. Kournikova, who never won the singles title since the debut in 1995, also needed talented Hingis in order to win. Besides, the two belonged to the same management agency and sponsors, and were asked for strategic cooperation targeting for synergy effect.

Hingis and Kournikova returned at women’s top after 3 years since the first victory in the same Australian Open in 1999.

Especially, Kournikova experienced defeat in the first singles first match, but she focused on the doubles and came out to cheer for Hingis whenever she had singles matches.

Hingis even entered the finals with Jennifer Capriati (U.S.A), which will be played on the 26th.

Jong-Seok Kim kjs0123@donga.com