Singapore: Sania Mirza and Martina Hingis are reuniting to defend their WTA Finals title here this week. The Indo-Swiss pair had parted ways in August.
Sania and Martina became the world’s No. 1 doubles team after winning 41 matches on-the-trot. They won three Grand Slam titles and 11 WTA titles since teaming up in 2015 at Indian Wells. Here they have been seeded second behind the French pair of Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic. They are in the bottom half of the draw and will face Chinese Taipei team of Hao-Ching Chan and Yung-Jan Chan in their opening match.
However there are doubts as to whether the two can do a repeat act here. The legendary Martina Navratilova, who conducted the doubles draw said that under the present circumstances, it would be difficult for the Indo-Swiss combo to retain their title.
“I am not aware of the reasons behind their split, but as it has happened in the immediate past, both will be down a bit psychologically,” stated Navratilova. “But then again they are pros. They can very well put all their differences behind and come out on top again.”
After splitting with the Swiss, Sania teamed up with World No. 21 Barbora Strycova from the Czech Republic.
Sania and the Swiss great began their partnership last year in March with a bang, winning three titles on the trot. They also won the 2015 Wimbledon and US Open women’s doubles titles and the 2016 Australian Open.
However, form deserted them in mid-2016 and they decided to go their separate ways in August. Sources stated that Sania did not like the closeness that Hingis and Leander Paes enjoyed and that was one of the main reasons for the break-up.
Agencies