Refreshed Hingis wins Italian Open

In Morocco, Meghann Shaughnessy won her fourth career title at the Grand Prix SAR.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
ROME -- Martina Hingis saw a different side of life in her three years away from tennis. Some things, however, don't change: She can still win tennis tournaments.
Hingis beat 16th-seeded Dinara Safina 6-2, 7-5 Sunday in the Italian Open final for the 41st title of her career, but first since winning in Tokyo more than four years ago.
She returned in January after nearly three years out of the game with foot and ankle injuries.
"I lived a different life and experienced a lot of things, and that probably helps me today in those moments," Hingis said.
Health came first
"If I could turn back time, of course I would have continued to play. But at that point it wasn't possible -- the pain and the operations. Right now, I'm very happy that my health is as good as it is."
After winning the first set in 27 minutes and taking a 4-1 lead in the second, Hingis faced three break points that would have sent the second set to a tiebreaker. But she gathered herself and served the match out.
When Safina's backhand return sailed long, the Swiss player placed her hand on her chest and took a deep breath of relief.
"I know how life is after tennis, and that probably gives me a lot of joy at these moments. I want to save them as much as I can," Hingis said.
The 25-year-old Hingis said the victory boosted her confidence entering the French Open, which starts next Sunday. The Italian Open is a key clay-court warmup for Roland Garros, the only Grand Slam that Hingis hasn't won.
Victory is foundation
"It's a great victory, but it doesn't end," Hingis said. "This is just the beginning of tough tournaments coming up -- the French Open and Wimbledon."
Hingis is projected to rise to No. 14 in the rankings today. She came back to beat Venus Williams in three sets in Saturday's semifinals.
It was Hingis' second Italian Open title. She beat Williams in the 1998 final.
Safina appeared tired from her 2-hour, 33-minute win over Svetlana Kuznetsova in the semifinals and, Hingis was in top form from the start.
Rabat final
RABAT, Morocco -- Meghann Shaughnessy won her fourth career title Sunday, beating eighth-seeded Martina Sucha 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 on clay at the Grand Prix SAR.
The unseeded Shaughnessy was appearing in her eighth final and first since Memphis, Tenn., in February 2005.
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