Swiss put on an impressive show in Key Biscayne

Despite a slow start, Martina Hingis didn't give Germany's Anke Huber much of a chance Keystone

Switzerland's Martina Hingis and Roger Federer both posted victories at the Masters Series tennis tournament in Florida on Tuesday. Hingis has made it through to the semi-finals.

World number one Hingis beat Germany’s Anke Huber in their quarter-final match while Federer beat Sweden’s Thomas Johansson in the men’s fourth round.

The Swiss rising star, Federer, made Hingis wait before turning the stadium court over to his compatriot, needing two hours and 30 minutes and two tie-breaks to dispose of Johansson, 7-6, 5-7, 7-6.

Next up for Federer is eighth seed and two-time US Open champion, Patrick Rafter, of Australia.

On the women’s side, Hingis struggled earl on in her match against Huber but managed to find top gear, sweeping 10 consecutive games to speed into the final four with a 7-5, 6-0 demolition of the 10th-seeded German.

Despite an 11-1 record against Huber, Hingis said she was caught off-guard by the German, who scored an early service break on way to a 5-3 lead.

But with Huber serving for the set, Hingis, who has reached the final of five-of-six tournaments this season, regained her form and won the next 10 games.

“The first set was close, she had set point, who knows what could have happened,” said Hingis. “But I definitely started picking up my game after that.”

Hingis will be up against third seed Venus Williams in the semi-finals. Williams also had an impressive win on Tuesday, beating Yugoslavia’s Jelena Dokic 6-2, 6-3.

“I’m really looking forward to playing Venus again,” said Hingis, who will face Williams for the first time since romping past her archrival 6-1, 6-1 to reach the Australian Open final.

swissinfo with agencies