Switzerland's Martina Hingis has suffered a surprise defeat in the final of the Indian Wells tennis tournament, losing to Slovakia's Daniela Hantuchova.

Eighteen-year-old Hantuchova beat the former world number one easily in two sets, 6-3, 6-4. The Slovak is the worst ranked player (26) to win a top-level WTA tournament since 1980, with her best results until now two semi-finals in Birmingham and Oklahoma City last year.

Hantuchova kept Hingis moving around the court with her groundstrokes. Her backhand was also particularly efficient, with 20 winners to just five for the Swiss star.

"She wasn't afraid of hitting hard, and she went for the lines," said Hingis. "When she began landing the ball on the lines, I knew there wasn't much I would be able to do."

The Slovak also pounced on Hingis' serve, taking her opponent's service game six times on her way to victory.

While this was Hantuchova's first singles victory, she has won two Grand Slam mixed doubles titles at the Australian Open this year and at Wimbeldon in 2001.

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