Hingis stuns Serena

Martina Hingis gave her confidence a boost ahead of the Australian Open by beating Serena Williams in straight sets in the quarter-finals of the adidas International in Sydney.

Williams had won three of the last four clashes between the two and in the other had been forced to retire with a foot injury.

But this time her rustiness after joining sister Venus in a two-month break from the game was exposed by the world number one and top seed, who won 6-4 7-5.

Hingis now plays fourth seed Conchita Martinez, while the other semi-final sees a re-run of last year's final between second seed Linsday Davenport and defending champion Amelie Mauresmo.

19-year-old Williams had her chances, leading 4-1 in the second set, but made a total of 54 unforced errors against only 13 from Hingis.

However, the 20-year-old Swiss player ended the match with what was described as a "severe" blister on her right big toe and almost immediately withdrew from the women's doubles, where she and new partner Monica Seles had reached the semi-finals.