TENNIS: Former world number one Martina Hingis was defeated in the semi-finals of her comeback tournament yesterday when she lost 1-6, 7-6, 6-2 to Italian Flavia Pennetta at the Australian Hardcourt Championships.

Hingis, who retired in 2002 with foot and ankle injuries, showed glimpses of the skills that took her to five grand slam titles but faded after romping through the first set.

The 25-year-old Swiss said she had strained a hip-flexor muscle towards the end of the second set, forcing her withdrawal from a doubles semi-final later yesterday. "If I was to evaluate this tournament right away, I'm very happy and very positive about what I've achieved this week," she said.

Pennetta will meet Lucie Safarova in the final today after the Czech teenager beat third-seeded Dinara Safina 6-4, 6-2 in the earlier semi-final.