Former world number one, Martina Hingis continued her impressive return to professional tennis by claiming a shocking 6-0, 6-0 victory over Korea's Yoon Jeong Cho in the first round of the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo on Wednesday. The 25-year-old Swiss, who came back last month from a three-year retirement forced by injuries, bagged the win in 33 minutes to advance to the second round where she faces third-seeded Nathalie Dechy of France. Four-time champion, Hingis is 4-0 against the Frenchwoman, who failed to grab a single set from Hingis on all those occasions. "It shows the potential is there and I'm improving every week," Hingis was quoted as saying by BBC Sport, after her fourth career double-bagel triumph. "I probably exceeded my expectations in Australia and that confidence showed," admitted Hingis. The four-time Pan Pacific Open champion has shown sublime performance since her return as she reached the semifinals at the Gold Coast warm-up event and the quarterfinals at the Australian Open last month. Hingis also captured a 14th Grand Slam title as she won her first mixed-doubles crown with India's Mahesh Bhupathi in Melbourne. Other Wednesday action saw second-seeded Elena Dementieva and fifth-seeded Nicole Vaidisova, who received first round byes, earn comfortable second round victories over Katarina Srebotnik and Saori Obata respectively. Top-seeded and defending champion, Maria Sharapova highlights the second round action on Thursday as she opens against America's Lisa Raymond.
