Press Trust of India
Indian Wells, Mar 22: Sania Mirza and Swiss legend Martina Hingis began their partnership with a title win as they overcame Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina 6-3 6-4 in the summit clash of the BNP Paribas Open, here Sunday.
Top seeds Sania and Hingis, who joined forces recently, made a stupendous start as they did not drop even a single set in the tournament en route to the title. Sania and Hingis were trailing 2-4 in the second set but went on to win four games in a row to clinch the issue.
Courtesy her win, Sania is set to achieve her career-best rank of number three when WTA issues new ranking table tomorrow (Monday). It was second title of the season for Sania and 24th overall. “On paper, obviously we are supposed to be a good team, but it doesn’t always turn out that way when you step on the court,” Sania said after the win. “So we’re really happy we weren’t just able to win, but win in such dominating fashion, not losing a set and being down just two times in the whole two weeks,” the Indian added.
Hingis, winner of 16 Grand Slam titles including five singles, said they hopes to win title. “This is something we were hoping for. She hits a big forehand, especially on the right side, and I can move and finish off the point. She prepares, I finish. That’s pretty cool to me,” Hingis said. “I’m very happy we made this move. Obviously we had partners we played well with, like me last year with Flavia, and changing was a big move. I’m very happy it worked out, because you never know what to expect. Winning the tournament in our premier, it’s new energy, and hopefully we can keep it up,” she added.
Sania was asked what makes them such a good team in terms of strategy on the doubles court. “She’s one of the best people who can complement the way I play. She’s got probably some of the best hands in the world at the net. For me, I need that. I need someone who can finish the balls off where I set them up. “And that’s really it. Like I said, on paper everything looks great, but you still have to go out there. Names don’t do anything. You have to go out and win,” she said.
