Sania Mirza makes a comeback with doubles crown in Hobart
Indian icon combines with Ukraine girl to secure Hobart crown
After winning the WTA Hobart International trophy with partner Nadiia Kichenok of Ukraine, Sania said that she couldn’t have asked for a better comeback.
The Indo-Ukrainian duo defeated second-seeded China’s Shaui Peng and Shuai Zhang in straight sets 6-4 6-4 in the contest lasting for one hour and 21 minutes.
Speaking after the match,
Mirza said that it was a perfect comeback. “It really is a fantastic tournament. This is what happens when you don’t expect anything out of a tournament and I think it teaches us not to put any pressure on ourselves. I came out here to try to get some matches in before getting into Melbourne and I just want to say that I could not have asked for a better comeback,” she expressed.
Extremely special
“Hobart has been special to me in many ways and it’s amazing that it happened here in Hobart and I would like to thank my partner for playing with me,” Sania added.
Thanking her family and team she said: “I can’t say it enough. I could not obviously be here and give everything that I have without my parents and my team. It’s extremely special for me to be here with my baby. I never thought that I would be competing at the very best levels against the very best teams in the world.”
It was Sania’s 42nd WTA doubles title and the first since the Brisbane International trophy in 2017 with American partner Bethanie Mattek-Sands.
Mahesh Bhupathi while praising her effort said “Incredible start to her comeback. she has worked very hard to get match fit and it’s great to see the results come so quick,” Bhupathi said.