When Korunikova struck back to close the second set to 3-2, Hingis broke serve again to regain control. When Kournikova’s forehand slapped the net, Hingis had closed out her third tournament win this year and her 10th straight Family Circle singles victory.

Kournikova’s game was erratic. She overcame Hingis’ 40-15 lead in the first set. Then she double-faulted twice to lose the next one.

“You have to play smart and be patient with her,” Kournikova said. “But I made a few unforced errors because I tried to go for too much.”

Hingis stayed steady throughout, never letting Kournikova break away. And when the crowd tried to pull Kournidova through, Hingis would remind them with a surprise drop shot or sharp forehand winner who’s No. 1.

Kournikova acknowledged the support she gets. She’s confident in her ability — she beat Hingis at last year’s German Open — but said she knows her game needs the seasoning she can get by advancing to finals.

“This is great for me, great for my confidence,” Kournikova said. “This gave me some experience and hopefully, I won’t be a runner-up much longer.” But Hingis will rest for about a month, returning to the tour at the Italian Open. She understands a lot better about the knack of winning crucial points and staying on top.

“(If) you are better ranked, you’re a better player, you win the match,” Hingis said. “If not, you always are the loser.”  

我们常常互相大侃特侃NBA 球员，拳击手甚至是有关一些政客的废话，为什么不谈谈身着网球裙的十几岁的姑娘们呢？网球场上有了新一代的女性。他们年轻，漂亮。而且对于任何事她们都带有令人难以置信的率直。十七岁的玛蒂娜·辛吉斯是这样解释她的不谦逊的：“人们说我傲慢。我是世界头号选手，所以我有权傲慢。”

她的确是世界最出色的。在辛吉斯成为历史上最年轻的头号选手的两年后，她又赢得了第二个大满贯头衔。

辛吉斯1997年来到英国，她用网球摆了个大大的“第一”。一周后，她已赢得了连续第六个冠军头衔并在大满贯中连续31场不败。

１８岁的辛吉斯，在周日以６比４，６比３战胜库尔尼科娃后说：“在那种场合，你并未能真正说明自己是世界上最出色的网球选手，总是有下场比赛，下一场锦标赛。”只是到后来，她说，她意识到“我是第一。我喜欢最好。”liuxuepaper.com