Melbourne: In a perfect climax to their stupendous run, Sania Mirza and Martina Hingis were today crowned the Australian Open women’s doubles champions after they tamed the spirited Czech duo of Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka in straight sets for their 36th win in a row, here.
The top seeds fought past the seventh seeds Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka 7-6 (1) 6-3 in the women’s doubles final that lasted one hour and 45 minutes.
It was their third consecutive Grand Slam title for Sania and Martina, having won the Wimbledon and US Open in the 2015 season.
In an incredible feat, Sania and Martina have now extended their unbeaten run to 36 matches, winning eight titles in a row. They won five straight titles in 2015, starting from the US Open and before the Australian Open today they had won Brisbane and Sydney events.
It was Sania’s second title at the Australian Open, having won the mixed doubles in 2009 with Mahesh Bhupathi.
The final though was not a stroll in the park for the world number one team with the Czechs putting up a great fight in the opening set. The match was littered with breaks with the two teams struggling to hold serve throughout.
Hlavackova was excellent from the baseline and Hradecka was terrific at the net, playing some breathtaking shots and winners.
The top seeds though had enough resources in their kitty to blunt the challenge of the Czech girls.
“I would like to thank everyone for coming out and supporting us. For me Australian Open is special, it’s like home. I have special memories here. We had an incredible one year. Martina is an amazing champion and an amazing person, so it is a privilege for me to play with her,” Sania said.
“We know how good you are (Czech team). We lost to you at Roland Garros. Hopefully we will have more finals to fight for,” Sania said.
Martina was equally effusive in her praise for the Czechs.
“They pushed us to the limit. It was s tough tournament.
We will try to defend our title next year.”
In the opening set, the two pairs could manage to hold serve only twice each as it was full of breaks.
Hradecka ran frantically to her left from the net and smashed one volley past Sania off Martina’s return and then the Swiss served two consecutive double faults to hand the Czechs an early break.
The top seeds had three break chances in the next game — the fourth — on Hlavackova’s serve but the Czech team saved all.
Martina earned a fourth at deuce with a volley and converted that with a forehand passing winner. .
PTI
