Martina Hingis and Sania Mirza beat Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka 7-6 (7-1) 6-3 to claim their first Australian Open women’s doubles title. Hingis and Mirza have extended their unbeaten streak to 36 consecutive wins. They now hold three of the four Gran Slam titles having won Wimbledon and the US Open titles in 2015.
Hingis and Mirza cruised to 6-1 6-0 against Karolina Pliskova and Julia Georges but faced a tougher test against Hradecka and Hlavackova who beat Mirza and Elena Vesnina in the 2011 Roland Garros final before claiming the 2013 US Open title.
In the first set both doubles teams broke serve eight consecutive times. The Czech team served for the set at 5-4 but Hingis and Mirza broke for 5-5. Hingis held serve to take a 6-5 lead but Hradecka and Hlavackova forced the first set to the tie-break in the next game.
A forehand winner and a volley from Hingis gave the Swiss and Indian team a 2-0 lead. Hingis and Mirza never looked back and claimed the tie-break 7-1.
Hlavackova hit a backhand long to drop serve in the first game of the second set. Mirza hit a blistering forehand down the line to take a 2-0 lead. Hlavackova and Hradecka went down 1-4 but they broke back for 2-4. A lob from Mirza and a stunning volley from Hingis enabled them to pull away to a 5-2 lead. Hradecka fended off three championships points. Mirza hit a forehand to convert the fourth match point.
Hngis and Mirza have clinched their third consecutive Grand Slam title as a team. Hingis and Mirza have lifted their second title in 2016 after winning the Sydney tournament earlier this month. Hingis and Mirza suffered their last defeat last August in Cincinnati.
Hingis and Mirza have won a total of 12 doubles titles as a team including the WTA Finals in Singapore last November. Hingis has clinched a total of 21 Grand Slam titles including five in singles, twelve in doubles and four in mixed doubles.
“Thanks Sania, I wouldn’t be here on this court without you. We had already won two Grand Slam titles and you have pushed us to the limit. Hopefully we can return and try and defend the title next year”, said Hingis
“We were pushed to the limit today, especially in the first set. It was break, break, break, break. But you girls have the best returns in women’s doubles”, said Hingis.
Most importantly I want to thank my partner. She just keeps going and going as an amazing champion. She is also an amazing champion and it’s a privilege for me to play with her. ”, said Mirza.
