Sania Mirza, Martina Hingis Clinch Australian Open 2016 For Third Women's Doubles Grand Slam Crown
Top seeds Sania Mirza and Martina Hingis defeated seventh-seeded Czech duo of Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka in the women's doubles summit clash at the Australian Open. It was their 36th straight victory on the circuit.
Sania Mirza and Martina Hingis captured their third consecutive Grand Slam women's doubles crown on Friday, defeating Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka in the Australian Open final in Melbourne. (Click here for latest Tennis stories)
The top seeds were heavily tested en route to their 7-6 (7-1) 6-3 victory over the Czech seventh seeds in a match that lasted an hour and 48 minutes at the Rod Laver Arena.
While the first set was a real thriller, the Indo-Swiss pair raced in the second to win their 12th title together. It was Sania's sixth Grand Slam title, overall.
"Australian Open has been special for me. It's like an Australasian Grand Slam. ):Martina is an amazing champion and an amazing person. It is a privilege for me to play with her", said Sania Mirza. (Match In Pics)
"It's been an incredible one year and we keep going on and one," said Sania, promising to be back in Melbourne to defend the women's doubles crown. Friday's win was Sania and Martina's 36th on-the-trot.
It was third career Grand Slam women's doubles title for Sania, 29, who has also won Wimbledon (2015) and US Open (2015) crowns. It was the 12th doubles title for 35-year-old Martina, who has five Australian Opens (1997, 1998, 1999, 2002), two French Opens (1998, 2000), three at Wimbledon (1996, 1998, 2015) and two US Open (1998, 2015) titles.
However, Sania's joy was short-lived as she was stunned in the mixed doubles semi-final by fifth seeds Elena Vesnina and Bruno Soares. Top seeds Sania and her Croatian partner Ivan Dodig lost 5-7, 6-7 in the last-four clash. The Indo-Croatian duo had knocked out defending champions Leander Paes and Martina in the quarter-finals on Thursday.
The first set was hotly contested with the pairs trading four breaks. The Czech girls fought hard in the 62-minute set where Martina controlled the net like a hawk. With a cracking forehand, Sania hit rasping winners but what stood out in the entire match was the Indian's ability to volley and hit strong backhand returns.
Martina needed a medical break after the first set. She needed a massage on her right shoulder but that did not stop the Swiss legend from serving hard and well.
But it was Sania who carried the team along and after breaking the seventh seeds in the opening game of the second set, SanTina just did not look back.