Daniela Hantuchova News
Daniela Hantuchova overcame Barbara Schett to progress to the third round at the Australian Open and, in doing so, brought down the curtain on the 28 year old Austrian's career.
Austria's most successful tennis player had already announced her intentions to retire from tennis after the Australian Open, but had probably hoped to make a greater impression in her final tournament.
"I was not very emotional until she had match point," said Schett.
"Then suddenly I had tears in my eyes. I realised 'OK, this is going to be the last point of my career'."
Hantuchova complated the victory in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2 to book a tough 3rd round draw against Elena Dementieva, the #6 seed from Russia.
Daniela Hantuchova has reached the second round of the Australian Open in Melbourne, despite a spirited fightback from her opponent, Japan's Akiko Morigami. Hantuchova completed a straight sets victory 6-4, 7-5, having seen off six set points from Morigami in the second set. Hantuchova showed an aggression which has been lacking from her game since her slide down the women's world rankings. She told reporters "For sure I wasn't going to get through a match like that a year ago. Thats what Im so happy about, that I really fought out there and I didn't give up."
Having scraped through the first round against a lesser opponent, Hantuchova may not have convinced anyone that she is back to her best. But her refusal to be drawn into a three set match, and her obvious relief at the end of the contest, seemed to signify a turning point in her faltering career. Despite the close encounter, Daniela fans will be hoping that the young Slovak will take confidence from this victory and go on to make a mark on this season's first Grand Slam. Daniela now plays Austria's Barbara Schett in Round 2.
Daniela Hantuchova has put her problems behind her and is on her way back to the top twenty, according to her new doubles partner and tennis legend Martina Navratilova. Hantuchova's dip in form coincided with rumours of an eating disorder that had allegedly reduced her weight by five kilos to a mere 56 kg. But Hantuchova has always claimed that her weight loss was due to a more vigorous training schedule, a view supported by Navratilova. "It's difficult to keep weight on when you are playing. She had other problems as well", said Navratilova, without giving details. She continued "She [Daniela] had her success too fast and had trouble sustaining it. But she wants it badly". A healthier-looking Hantuchova has been seen practicing for her first round encounter with Japan's Akiko Morigami at the Australian open, where she hopes to get back to winning ways.
