Hingis hopes to come back stronger

Martina Hingis insists her third-round defeat at Wimbledon is only a temporary setback in her comeback to competitive tennis.

The 25-year-old from Switzerland had high hopes of joining compatriot Roger Federer on the victory parade after breezing through her first two matches at the All England Club.

But the 1997 champion came unstuck against veteran Ai Sugiyama, who had struggled to get past 17-year-old British girl Naomi Cavaday in the opening round.

Hingis, who won her 41st title earlier this year in Rome to justify her return to the big time, hit back to level the match and was 3-0 up in the deciding set, only to lose six of the last seven games.

It was not the return to Centre Court she wanted but she remains unfazed by what she hopes is a blip.

“You can take it either way,” she said. “In the past, usually losses made me stronger. Maybe from the previous two matches, everyone was thinking I was going through easy. But I knew it was going to be crucial because she is a very good player.

“She’s been around for a long time and I haven’t played her since my comeback. She’s a strong survivor and played at a different level from the other two matches.”

Sugiyama, who turns 30 next Wednesday, takes on French qualifier Severine Bremond for a place in the quarter-finals.

Belgian pair Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin-Hardenne, who have both yet to win Wimbledon, remain on course for a semi-final duel after claiming third-round wins over Anna Chakvetadze and Zheng Jie respectively.

Both have yet to drop a set and Clijsters, who takes on Polish wild card Agnieszka Radwanska next, insists there is more to come.

“It doesn’t matter how good you are, there is always room for improvement,” she said. “I came off the court having a real good feeling and that is what I will take into the next round.”

Henin-Hardenne’s next opponent is Daniela Hantuchova, who put out Katarina Srebotnik in straight sets.

Today, Venus Williams continues the defence of her crown against Jelena Jankovic of Serbia and Montenegro, while 2004 champion Maria Sharapova takes on veteran American Amy Frazier.