Sport

Memorable day for Robredo

HAMBURG: Tommy Robredo beat Radek Stepanek 6-1, 6-3, 6-3 in the Hamburg final to clinch his first Masters Series title here on Sunday.

The eighth-seeded Robredo won his third career title in two hours. The 24-year-old is 13-3 on clay this year ahead of the French Open, which starts on May 28.

Robredo, who was in his first Masters final, has now won all four of his meetings with the Czech.

Both players will enter the top 10 when the latest rankings are released on Monday.

Robredo reached a career-high eighth this month before entering Hamburg ranked 12th, while it will be Stepanek's first time in the top 10. Currently ranked No. 16, Stepanek's previous best was 12th last month.

Stepanek, who was seeking his first title on clay, was runner-up to Marat Safin in Paris in 2004 in his only previous Masters final.

Hingis's 41st title

At Rome, Martina Hingis beat 16th-seeded Dinara Safina 6-2, 7-5 for her first title since coming out of retirement.

After cruising through the first set in 27 minutes and taking a 4-1 lead in the second, Hingis appeared nervous while trying to close out the match. When Safina's backhand return sailed long on Hingis' fourth match point, the Swiss placed her hand on her chest and took a deep breath.

Hingis returned in January after nearly three years out of the game with foot and ankle injuries. This was the 41st title of her career, but the first since winning in Tokyo more than four years ago.

The victory should give Hingis a boost ahead of the French Open. The Italian Open is a key clay court tune-up for Roland Garros, the only Grand Slam Hingis has not won.

Hingis is expected to return to the top 15 in the WTA rankings.

Pulling ahead

On Saturday, Hingis stormed back after a stuttering start to defeat Venus Williams 0-6, 6-3, 6-3 to reach the second final of her 2006 comeback campaign.

The five-time Grand Slam winner notched up her 11th career win over Williams in a series which began in 1997 and stood 10-10 going into this match.

"In the first set, I felt like I could cry. I was missing my shots by a little bit and my timing was out. Rome has always been a special place. I'm happy to have made another final," Hingis said.

Safina put out compatriot Svetlana Kuznetsova 3-6, 6-4, 7-5 in the other semifinal.

Shaughnessy meets Sucha

Meanwhile, Meghann Shaughnessy defeated Yan Zi of China 6-0, 6-2 to reach the final of the Grand Prix SAR, in Rabat on Saturday. In the title clash, the American will play Martina Sucha of Slovakia, who beat Alona Bondarenko of Ukraine 6-3, 6-2.

The results:

At Hamburg (ATP Masters): Final: Tommy Robredo bt Radek Stepanek 6-1, 6-3, 6-3.

At Rome (WTA Italian Open): Final: Martina Hingis bt Dinara Safina 6-2, 7-5; Semifinals: Hingis bt Venus Williams 0-6, 6-3, 6-3; Safina bt Svetlana Kuznetsova 3-6, 6-4, 7-5.

At Rabat (WTA Grand Prix): Semifinals: Meghann Shaughnessy bt Yan Zi 6-0, 6-2; Martina Sucha bt Alona Bondarenko 6-3, 6-2. — Agencies

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