Martina Hingis loses her 2nd singles match, Switzerland wins 3-2 over Poland in Fed Cup

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ZIELONA GORA, Poland (AP) -- Five-time Grand Slam champion Martina Hingis lost both her singles matches but finished on the winning team as Switzerland beat Poland 3-2 Sunday in a Fed Cup World Group playoff.

Swiss victory was sealed when Timea Bacsinszky and Victorija Golubic beat Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska and Alicja Rosolska 2-6, 6-4, 9-7 in a doubles match lasting over 2 1/2 hours on the hard indoor court.

Hingis was set to play in the doubles but injured her left leg in her earlier defeat by Urszula Radwanska and was substituted by Golubic.

Hingis was playing this weekend in her first competitive singles matches since 2007 and lost both of them to the Radwanska sisters.

On Sunday, Urszula Radwanska beat Hingis 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 to take the tie to 2-2 after Bacsinszky had easily defeated Agnieszka Radwanska 6-1, 6-1. On Saturday, Agnieszka Radwanska beat Hingis 6-4, 6-0.

The 34-year-old Hingis was playing in the Fed Cup for the first time in 17 years.

After her second retirement in 2007, Hingis played singles only in exhibition matches but won several doubles and mixed doubles titles.

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Tremendous effort in singles by Martina Hingis even though she lost them both. She played extremely well in the second singles match against Urszula in particular.

If it wasn't for the leg cramps she would have won that match in straight sets.  Not bad for someone who (outside of exhibitions) hasn't played singles matches since 2007!.

I have to wonder though why the Swiss team captain didn't use Hingis in doubles on Day 2 rather then putting her in 2 singles matches.  Poor choice (there's a reason she's won three doubles titles back to back).

Really the only reason she lost was lack of singles match play and maybe a little bit of conditioning (3 sets are a lot more taxing when you're playing by yourself) vs when you're only responsible for covering half the court.

Throughout the match that brilliance that made her #1 in the world all those years ago was on full display.  Watching her game still makes me long for the good old days of crafty net play and long rallies.

So happy we get to see her genius shine in doubles this year.

Next for the dynamic doubles duo is Stuttgart Porsche Grand Prix.  Where back in the 90's Martina won 4 Porsche cars before she was even legally allowed to drive them :D.  

Good memories.  Best of luck to both ladies.  Hope they can bring home another trophy.