Hobart International 2020: Sania Mirza makes winning return to tour, clinches 42nd doubles title

In a dream start to her second innings after a two-year break, Sania Mirza lifted the WTA Hobart International trophy with partner Nadiia Kichenok after edging out Peng Shuai and Shuai Zhang in the final on Saturday. [caption id=“attachment_7924331” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Sania Mirza and Nadiia Kichenok after winning the title in Hobart. Photo: Twitter/Hobart International[/caption] The unseeded Indo-Ukrainian pair pipped the second seed Chinese team 6-4, 6-4 in one hour 21 minutes. Playing her first tournament after giving birth to son Izhaan, the 33-year-old Sania has begun well in the Olympic year as she warmed up for the Australian Open in style. It is Sania’s 42nd WTA doubles title and first since Brisbane International trophy in 2017 with American partner Bethanie Mattek-Sands. Sania did not compete on the WTA circuit in the entire 2018 and 2019 seasons to start a family with cricketer husband Shoaib Malik. Sania and Nadiia began by breaking the Chinese players in the very first game of the match but only to drop serve in the next.

"I couldn't have asked for a better comeback."@MirzaSania | @HobartTennis pic.twitter.com/s3tZojPMSd

— wta (@WTA) January 18, 2020

The two pairs played close games towards the end and at 4-4, 40-all, Sania and Nadiia got the crucial break, earning the opportunity to serve out the set. There was no twist in 10th game with Sania and Nadiia comfortably pocketing the first set.

Great rally from Nadiia Kichenok and @MirzaSania 🙌 #HobartTennis pic.twitter.com/vyBUpdu0Vx

— wta (@WTA) January 18, 2020

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The second set could not have started better for them as they broke the Chinese rivals to take early lead and consolidated the break with an easy hold. The game of the Chinese was falling apart as they dropped serve again in the third but broke back immediately to repair some damage. Sania and Nadiia were now feeling the heat at 0-30 in the sixth game but Peng and Zhang let them hold serve for a 4-2 lead. The Chinese though kept fighting and made it 4-4 with another break in the eighth game. The Indo-Ukraine team raised its game when it mattered as it broke Peng and Zhang for one final time in the ninth and served out the match in the next game.

Straight sets win 🤩

Nadiia Kichenok and @MirzaSania are your @HobartTennis Doubles Champions after defeating Peng/Zhang, 6-4, 6-4! pic.twitter.com/5rzrRbWcJp

— wta (@WTA) January 18, 2020

Sania and Nadiia split $13580 as prize money and earned 280 ranking points each for their winning effort.