Sania Mirza's doubles partners over the years
Bethanie Mattek-Sands of USA (L) talks tactics with Sania Mirza
Now focusing primarily on her doubles career, Sania Mirza has had myriad doubles partners from various nations. With 16 titles already in her kitty, lets take a look at some of her successful partnerships since 2005.
Bethanie Mattek-Sands- Known as the ‘Lady Gaga of Tennis’, Sania’s current partner is also her best friend on tour. They had decent outings in 2006 and won their 1st title at Cincinnati in 2007. Before rejoining forces in 2012, they had reached the quarters of both the Slams ( US Open 2007 and Wimbledon 2008) they played. These were Sania’s best Grand Slam doubles results till Elena Vesnina came in. This year, Mirza/Mattek had a curious start, winning Brisbane in the very 1st week of the new season but then losing in Round 1 of the Australian Open. It was a sense of deja vu really, as they had also crashed out of French Open 2012 in Round 1 after winning Brussels. Their 2nd title of this year came in Dubai, beating Petrova/Strebotnik in the final. Mattek is the only player with whom Sania has won 4 titles. With some more consistency, this glamorous team can end up winning a slam in 2013.
Liezel Huber- Sania and former World No. 1 Huber have won 3 titles together and all three came in India (Hyderabad 2004, Bangalore 2006, Kolkata 2006). These were also Sania’s 1st three doubles titles. They played together at US Open 2006 but lost in Round 3. Last seen in Sydney 2013, they seem to have overcome the Australian Open 2012 “cheating” fiasco. Incidentally, Sania has beaten Huber every single time they faced each other in mixed doubles.
Elena Vesnina- Sania’s most successful partnership broke up due to the Olympics last year. Though they have won only 2 titles (Indian Wells and Charleston 2011), their performance at Grand Slams has been exemplary, having reached the final at French Open 2011 and semis at Wimbledon 2011 and Australian Open 2012. None of Sania’s other doubles partnerships have even come close to this as far as Grand Slam record is concerned. Nicknamed ‘Mirzina’ by their fans, many would love to see this pair back.
Russian player Elena Vesnina (L) and Indian player Sania Mirza
Shahar Peer- After the Big Three, the name that comes to my mind is that of Peer. Friends since juniors, they didn’t let religion come in the way of tennis. In fact, their win at Stanford 2007 gave Sania her 1st Premier level title. They played 1 more event at Los Angeles in 2007 and are yet to pair up since then.
Vania King- Sania’s 1st doubles title outside India came with Vania at Fes 2007. The Indo-American partnership has not won any other matches together despite playing in Australian Open 2009 and Japan Open 2009.
Mara Santangelo- Sania won 4 doubles titles in 2007 with 4 different partners and 1 of them came with Mara. It was a surprise victory for this pair, who lost just 3 games to the then No. 1 team Huber/Black in New Haven final, winning 6-1 6-2. However, they did not do very well in other tournaments.
Chuang Chia-jung- In 2009, this pair looked like the next big thing in women’s doubles. They made the semis at Miami and Madrid and won Ponte Vedra Beach. Surprisingly, they failed to go beyond Round 2 at the Slams and hence broke up.
Virginia Ruano Pascual- They played for the 1st time in the 2005 Sunfeast Open, Kolkata (when Pascual was ranked No 1 in doubles), losing a tight 3-setter against Myskina/Likhotsova in the semis. They teamed up once again in 2010, reaching Round 3 of Australian Open.
Anastasia Rodionova- Won Pattaya Open in 2012 and made the semis of Estoril in the same year, but don’t look like an ideal pair as both like to return from the deuce court.
Alicia Molik- Sania has few well-wishers who praise her as much as former World No. 8 (singles) Alicia. They never won a title but did well in quite a few events, reaching the final at Istanbul 2007 and Round 3 at Australian Open 2008. Another player with whom Sania played now and then with some fine results is Francesca Schiavone . They last teamed up in the US Open 2009.
Caroline Wozniacki- Though they have played in just 1 tournament- Wimbledon 2010- they deserve a special mention, because after this, Caro went on to become No. 1 in singles. Incidentally, Sania played with Kim Clijsters in an exhibition match in 2006, beating the William sisters.
Jannete Husarova- Sania’s 1st Round 3 appearance in a Grand Slam doubles match came at French Open 2006 with this veteran. Husarova is back on Tour now and there is no reason why these two can’t team up again.
The Indian won a doubles round at a Grand Slam for the 1st time with Yuliana Fedak in French Open 2005. Sania has also won 1 title each with Edina Gallovits ( Guangzhou 2010) and Yaroslava Shedova (Citi Open 2011). Among some other well-known names, she had teamed up with Michaella Krajiceck (Wimbledon 2006), Anabel Medina(Australian Open 2007) and Vera Dushevina(USO 2009) for just 1 Slam. Flavia Penneta, Jie Zheng and Alisa Kleybanova are 3 players with whom I would personally like to see Sania play on the Tour. Incidentally, her junior Wimbledon title came with Kleybanova in 2003. Martina Sanchez is perhaps another player who can compliment Sania’s game perfectly. But for now, let us hope that the queen of Indian tennis gets a Slam in women’s doubles soon.