Martina Hingis began the U.S. Open under attack for making politically incorrect remarks about the Williams sisters. Now Hingis, whose distaste for the Williams family is no secret, gets a chance to ruin their tournaments starting today.
The top-seeded Hingis faces Serena in today’s semifinals while Flushing Meadows fan favorite Jennifer Capriati meets Venus. An all-Williams final is a distinct possibly, as is the chance of Hingis getting a shot at both Williams sisters on consecutive days.
The women’s final will be held in prime time tomorrow night for the first time – a consequence of the ever-popular soap opera the women’s game has become. And the four most compelling women’s players have made it to the female final four.
Asked about an all-Williams affair, Serena said “That would be great. I’m sure TV would love it.”
Hingis and Richard Williams have engaged in a war of words since 1997, with the Swiss Miss once saying he had “a big mouth.” Hingis’ quotes last week in Time Magazine’s cover story on the Williams sisters didn’t help. Hingis said the Williamses get more endorsements because they are black.
Yesterday, Hingis, coming off the practice court, said regarding Papa Williams, “We have great fun together. The media blows it up.”
Papa Williams told The Post earlier this week regarding Hingis’ endorsement remarks: “It’s something expected. When a person like Martina has been at the top so long and is falling fast and not able to keep up any longer, you speak out what’s in your heart. What came out of her mouth is what she felt all along.”
At the Australian Open, Hingis pulled off the Williams’ double slay, beating Serena in the quarters and Venus in the semifinals before losing to Capriati in the Finals.
“I definitely prefer playing Serena first and then Venus,” Hingis said. “That’s the way it was at the Australian Open.”
Despite her No. 1 ranking, Hingis has not won a Grand Slam event since the ’99 Australian Open, going 10 straight Slam events without a title. Serena knocked off Hingis in the ’99 Open Finals, the first sign the Swiss Miss’ finesse game from the baseline was in danger of being overpowered by bigger, stronger women on the tour.
“Sometimes you want to use more brain as opposed to brawn,” Serena said. “You don’t want to have all brawn and no brain.”
Capriati has never beaten Venus in four tries but has won two Grand Slams this year and the crowd support.
“I just think in general the fans have always loved her from the very beginning, when she hit her first ball,” said Venus. “They feel like they watched her grow up. Maybe that’s what it is. So she has a lot of fans and a strong fan base. They really come out and root for her and want her to win.”
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WOMEN’S SEMIFINALS TALE OF THE TAPE
Martina Hingis (1) vs. Serena Williams (10)
20 Age 19
5-7 Height 5-10
130 lbs. Weight 145 lbs.
Kosice, SLO Birthplace Saginaw, Mich.
Right Handed Right
38 Career titles 9
6 Career wins vs. 4
def. Daja Bedanova, 6-2, 6-0 Quarters result def. Lindsay Davenport (3), 6-3, 6-7 (7), 7-5
Surpassed Monica Seles in 2001 with 178 weeks ranked No. 1 Career highlight Won first carrer Slam at 1999 U.S. Open
Cut doubles partner Anna Kournikova this year Career lowlight Constantly embarrassed by quotebox father
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Venus Williams (4) vs. Jennifer Capriati (2)
21 Age 25
6-1 ½ Height 5-8 ½
169 lbs. Weight 135 lbs.
Lynwood, Calif. Birthplace New York
Right Handed Right
20 Career titles 12
3 Career wins vs. 0
def. Kim Clijsters (5), 6-3, 6-1 Quarters result def. Amelie Mauresmo (8), 6-3, 6-4
Won first Grand Slam at 2000 Wimbledon Career highlight Back-to-back Grand Slams at 2001 Australian & French Opens
Constantly embarrassed by quotebox father Career lowlight Dropped out of tour in 1993 following off-court drama