10 interesting facts on Martina Hingis and Sania Mirza's road to Wimbledon

Martina Hingis and Sania Mirza pose with the Wimbledon doubles title

Sania  Mirza and Martina Hingis have now pocketed the much coveted Wimbledon doubles title. Here are some fun facts on their journey so far.

1. Three on the trot, to start: Joining forces at the Indian Wells tournament this year, Sania Mirza and Martina Hingis’ March mania started with the Indian Wells and Miami titles and extended into April with the Charleston crown too!

2. The partnership took Mirza and the team to No.1 spot : As a result of a splendid beginning, Sania Mirza was able to collect enough points to unseat the Italians Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci from the top spot. In doing so, she became the third Indian and first woman to ever be ranked no.1. The run also placed them atop the board in the race to Singapore.

3. Clay court slump : After their initial invincibility, they had a mediocre clay court season, where they lost twice to Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Lucie Safarova two time, including at the French Open quarters

4. Disappointing Eastbourne, wonderful Wimbledon: Their foray into the grass season was dull, with a disappointing semifinal loss at the Eastbourne Premier event. But, their Wimbledon run is in direct contrast, with the team winning their first grand slam.

5. No sets lost till the semis: Volleying and lobbing with brilliancy, Sania Mirza and Martina Hingis sped past their opponents in the first Women’s doubles semifinal to reach their first Grand Slam final, in their second ever together. On their way to the finals, they dropped no set to their opponents.

6. Three tight sets and two and a half hours for Sania’s first ever title : Sania Played her first Grand Slam final with Elena Vesnina. The Russian featured in her second final too, albeit on the other side of the net with partner Ekaterina Makarova. Playing one of the most enteartaining finals in recent times, Sania Mirza and Martina Hingis fought through a three setter 5-7 7-6(4) 7-5. Braving a break deficit at 5-2, the top seeds won five games on the trot to cling the title. It was also one of the longest Ladies’ doubles finals played at the Championships. With this win, Sania became the first Indian to win a Women’s doubles Grand Slam.

7. Hingis-Mirza back on top : With a win in the final, the Indo-Swiss team regain their place atop the Race to Singapore rankings. They had lost it to Bathanie Mattek-Sands and Lucie Safarova after their French Open win. By claiming the title at Wimbledon, the Indo-Swiss team regains the top spot and place themselves firmly in contention for a berth at Singapore.

8. Sania will retain No.1 spot : With the good run here at Wimbledon, Sania Mirza will remain the no.1 player of the world after the final. She has held the spot ever since she clinched it in April. Thus, she will enter her fourth month as the world No.1. Closely following her is partner Martina Hingis. Ranking below the Swiss miss are Elena Vesnina and Ekaterina Makarova.

9. Blast from the past : Well, this is interesting- Martina Hingis won her first ever Grand Slam here in the year 1996 with Czech Helena Sukova. Nineteen years and many slams later, she wins for a third time at the Lawns of Wimbledon.

10. Sania has a title, from her juniors career : Sania has also won here. In 2003, she won the Girls’ doubles title with Alisa Kleybanova at the age of 16. What about Hingis’ junior career? Oh don’t bother, she was a year younger when she won the 1996 Ladies’ doubles title!