Martina sets date with Tamarine, Kloesel runs into Sania

Kolkata, Sep 20 (UNI) The difference between Martina Hingis and Tzipora Obziler in a match of grit and gumption was that between a champion and an aspirant and the swiss miss had the last laugh, but not before sweating it out at 6-2, 7-5 at the Sunfeast Open here today.

In another match the German panache for victory also came alive today when Sandra Kloesel defeated a higher ranked Russian Galina Voskoboeva 7-6 (7-5), 5-7, 6-4 to set up a date with the Indian favourite Sania Mirza in the next round.

The first set that Martina won 6-2 was tougher than what the scoreline predicted. It also showed the difference between a champion and a mere aspirant.

Following the match Martina said, I am looking forward to playing Tamarine. I played her twice and was winner on both occasions. I hope to continue the same way on Friday when I meet her.

''The intensity was there. I was leading 3-2 and could not hold on to some easy chances. She had picked up her game and did not let go any easy points. I was also pushing a little harder and that was the problem. But I am happy with the outcome, she said praising Obziler.

She admitted that her serve was not as good as it was in the first game, ''The first game was a perfect one. I was hitting winners and was serving perfectly. It was feeling so good. I thought why I could not repeat it over and over again. Today maybe after missing a point I was thinking about it and that was the difference. It matters.'' Obziler had her chance to break Martina in the fourth game, but she faltered and after that Martina just did not give her a scintilla of a chance Martina after staving off the danger went on to hit one winner after the other. She began hitting down the line forehands with immaculate precision. Two breaks in the fifth and seventh game sealed the first set in spite of the fact that Obziler had hit four aces.

The second set was a sheer thriller, with breaks being traded and fortunes fluctuating. Obziler looked like a fighter to the core.

Martina broke her in the opening game capitalizing on a double-fault, but in the very next game Obziler broke back with a back-hand slice loaded with backspin that Martina had no answer to.

After holding serves for the next four games Hingis again capitalized on a lapse in concentration from Obziler to go a break up, but Obziler sprung back trading another break to make it 4-4.

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