Hingis to play Australian hardcourts

MELBOURNE, Oct 17 (Reuters) Three-times Australian Open champion Martina Hingis will warm up for next year's event at the Australian women's hardcourt championships on the Gold Coast, organisers said today.

The world number nine reached the semi-finals in the tournament at the beginning of this year in only her second competitive event since retiring in 2002 with foot and ankle injuries.

The championships will be held at the Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast from December 31-January 6.

The 2007 Australian Open, the year's first Grand Slam which Hingis won from 1997 to 1999, takes place in Melbourne from January 15-28.

REUTERS RL RAI1046