Sania-Hingis win BNP Paribas Open title

Indian Wells , March 22:Marti Hingis and Sania Mirza have completed a dream first tourment together, beating Ekateri Makarova and Ele Vesni 6-3, 6-4 to win the BNP Paribas Open women’s doubles title here.

The No.1 seeds, Hingis (Switzerland) and Mirza (India) didn’t lose more than four games in any set all fortnight.

After cruising through the first set, they fell behind 2-4 in the second to No.2 seeds Ekateri Makarova and Ele Vesni. But they flipped the script from there with four straight games to end it 6-3, 6-4 on Saturday.

Hingis has won 11 Grand Slams in the team discipline (nine in women’s and two in mixed) while Sania has claimed three Grand Slams (all in mixed) — and their doubles partnership was eagerly awaited in the tennis circuit.

“This is something we were hoping for,” Hingis said after the win.

“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,” she added.

Hingis expressed her satisfaction at the performance of the pair in the tourment.

“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 tourment in our premier, it’s new energy, and hopefully we can keep it up,” Hingis said.

Mirza echoed Hingis’ sentiments but admitted that she didn’t expect to win in such a domiting fashion.

“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.

“So, we’re really happy we weren’t just able to win, but win in such domiting fashion, not losing a set and being down just two times in the whole two weeks.”

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,” the Indian said.

“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. mes don’t do anything. You have to go out and win.” IANS