Fifteen-times grand slam champion Martina Hingis made a courageously impressive return to big-time singles tennis in the Fed Cup on Saturday but was eventually outplayed by Agnieszka Radwanska. Hingis was persuaded to play her first tour-level singles for nearly eight years because of injuries in the Switzerland team for the World Group playoff encounter against Poland. The 34-year-old brought back memories of her heyday in a thrilling 48-minute first set before capitulating 6-4 6-0 to world number nine Radwanska after 76 enjoyable minutes. Martina Hingis fought courageously but could not prevent defeat on her first return to singles since 2007 . The former World No 1 was defeated 6-4, 6-0 by Agnieszka Radwanska (right) in the Fed Cup . Hingis was persuaded to play because of injuries in the team and to secure a spot on the Olympic team . Australian Open  (1997, 1998, 1999) Wimbledon (1997) US Open (1997) French Open runner-up (1997, 1999) Total career singles titles: 43 . Total career doubles titles: 44 . Career prize money: $20,974,066 . Smiling a lot and clearly enjoying the experience of being back in the spotlight against a player with a similarly attractive style, Hingis played some exhilarating tennis early on but her effort eventually took its toll. Half a step slower in the second set, she could only win 11 points as Radwanska upped her game to give Poland a 1-0 lead in the tie. What was most eye-catching was the way Hingis fought in the opening set, twice coming back from a break down to level the scores until the pressure exerted by Radwanska finally told. Hingis, who only plays doubles on tour those days, was making a Fed Cup return for the first time since the 1998 final because she has to play in the competition to qualify for next year's Olympics. Hingis lines up with team-mates including (L-R) Romina Oprandi, Victorija Golubic and Timea Bacsinszky . Hingis, posing with the US Open trophy in 1997, won five grand slam singles titles before her 18th birthday .
Switzerland are facing Poland in the Fed Cup World Group play offs . Martina Hingis lost 6-4, 6-0 to world No 9 Agnieszka Radwanska . The former No 1 and five-time grand slam singles winner has not played a singles match since 2007 .