Hingis cruises through with top spot safe

Martina Hingis crushed Russia's Tatiana Panova 6-1 6-2 to reach the semifinals of the Filderstadt Grand Prix on Friday and retained the world number one spot for at least another week.

Number two Jennifer Capriati lost all chance of dethroning Hingis when the new rankings are released on Monday when she was beaten 2-6 6-3 6-3 by France's Sandrine Testud in the quarter-finals.

Hingis, who has enjoyed the view from the top without a break since May last year, gave lucky loser Panova no chance in a one-sided match.

The 21-year-old Swiss, chasing a fifth victory in the German indoor event, goes on to meet American Lindsay Davenport, the third seed, who eased past fifth seed Amelie Mauresmo of France 6-4 6-2 in the day's final match.

Unseeded Testud, who won the tournament in 1998, recovered from a slow start against Capriati and sealed victory when the American second seed hit a forehand into the net on the first matchpoint after one hour and 55 minutes.

The 29-year-old Frenchwoman now faces Wimbledon finalist Justine Henin, who shrugged off a brave challenge from local favourite Anke Huber for a 6-7 6-2 7-5 win.

Capriati started well but was then let down by her serve and Testud moved on top to cruise through to the semifinals of the tournament for the third time.

Last Match
"I made a few mistakes in the first set but then I started playing really well and made the important points," said Testud.

"Jennifer didn't serve too well and that helped me a bit but I was really aggressive and that was the key," she added.

Henin, the sixth seed, was made to work by Huber, who will retire after next year's Australian Open and has now played her last match in Germany unless she manages to qualify for the season-ending WTA Championship in Munich.

"I've been on the circuit for many years and I think it's time for me to do something else," said the 26-year-old German, who has won twice in Filderstadt.

The first set was extremely tight, Huber taking it by winning a tiebreak 7-4 after Henin hit a backhand wide on set point.

The 19-year-old Henin took control in the second set but the German was back in command in the third, breaking her opponent to take a 4-2 lead.

But the Belgian teenager showed composure by breaking back immediately before levelling the set at 4-4.

Another break in the 11th game set her up for victory, which she sealed when Huber hitting a forehand wide on the second match point.