Hingis "Unique"
by Ian Barnes

Martina Hingis already has her first Grand Slam trophy -- the Australian Open -- in the cupboard, stands at the top of the world rankings and is now in the quarter finals of Wimbledon. And she is still three months short of her 17th birthday.

How has she achieved so much so young. The answer, from Sabine Appelmans, the Belgian left hander who became her latest victim at Wimbledon 1997 is simple: "She is unique."

Appelmans, who has been on the WTA Tour since 1988, declared after coming off Court, beaten 6-2, 6-3: "Martina is so talented -- and everything works. She does it all just that little bit better that most of us.

"She hits the ball that little bit earlier, a little bit faster and makes you feel that you have to hit extra good shots all the time. Normal shots are not good enough."

She added: "Martina also has a game that is suited to every type of court. She does not have a really big serve but she plays a very aggressive game. She has very good hands, she is good at the net and can do so much with the ball."

In Appelmans's view Hingis can do as well on Wimbledon's grass as in the other Grand Slam events - her win in Australia in January was followed by an appearance in the final at Roland Garros.

She pointed out: "Martina is still only 16 so she is sure to improve. She is definitely going to develop more power . She already has a pretty complete game but could, maybe, hit the ball even harder. At the moment she is not hitting the ball so hard, it is all down to good timing and good placement.

"The other thing is that she does not have to work so hard as other players. Players like Monica Seles and Steffi Graf work hard at the game. Everything seems so easy for Martina. She is always in the right position and that's the difference. I don't think I have seen anyone like her. She is unique."