Hantuchova upsets Hingis to claim first title

Daniela Hantuchova shocked second seed Martina Hingis 6-3, 6-4 in the final of the $2.1 million Indian Wells Masters on Saturday to claim her first career singles title.

The 18-year-old Slovakian had been tipped for stardom before her arrival in Indian Wells and lived up to her promise when she took just 75 minutes to tame Swiss Hingis on a cold, blustery centre court.

"For me it's like a dream coming true because this was my first final, playing one of the greatest players, and beating her the way I did," said Hantuchova, who also upset third seed Justine Henin of Belgium en route to the final.

"Today was just unbelievable for me. It's still hard for me to believe what I have done here."

It was also hard for the near-16,000 crowd to believe what they were seeing as Hantuchova unleashed an array of stunning winners to run Hingis ragged and outplay her opponent in almost every facet of the game.

"She just played very fearless, she had nothing to lose," said Hingis, who will inch one spot up the rankings on Monday to world number three. "I had a few opportunities which I didn't take and she just kept hitting those lines.

"There wasn't much I could do about that. When I was 18, I was fearless too...I guess."

A confident Hingis, playing in her third Indian Wells final, began the match on a threatening note by breaking Hantuchova's opening serve.

But the 18th seed would not be intimidated by the former world number one and immediately broke back to let the five-time Grand Slam winner know she would have to work hard for her third title of the season.

AGGRESSIVE PLAY

Displaying unexpected poise, Hantuchova continued her aggressive play to achieve a break at 5-3. She then held serve to take the opening set.

With Hingis shaking her head in frustration, Hantuchova stepped up the pressure by breaking the Swiss to start the second set and refused to allow her opponent back into the match.

When Hingis broke to cut the deficit to 4-2, Hantuchova immediately broke back.

But, serving for the title, Hantuchova's nerves began to fray and Hingis pounced to break.

Hantuchova, however, would not be denied, taking the match with a pinpoint forehand to the corner of the court that left Hingis glued to the baseline watching helplessly.

"At that point I just realised how close I was to winning the match," said Hantuchova.

"I was a bit nervous at that point because I knew I was just four points away from winning such a big tournament."

That pressure would increase, warned Hingis with a knowing smile when asked if the Slovak had the game to rival the Williams sisters, Venus and Serena, and Australian Open champion Jennifer Capriati.

"She did great at this tournament, now it's about making the next step, proving next week and the week after that," said Hingis. "The season is long, so we'll see what happens.

"She definitely has a great future ahead of her if she continues to play like this."

Hantuchova became the lowest seed to win a Tier I event since 1980. She also pocketed a cheque for $332,000.

The Slovak had already grabbed two major mixed doubles titles. Together with Kevin Ullyett of Zimbabwe, she won the Australian Open in January and last year Hantuchova and Leos Friedl of the Czech Republic lifted the Wimbledon crown.