INDIAN TENNIS STAR SANIA MIRZA SECURES WTA YEAR-END NO.1 WORLD DOUBLES RANKING

Written by: Staff on 30th October 2016

INDIAN TENNIS STAR SANIA MIRZA SECURES WTA YEAR-END NO.1 WORLD DOUBLES RANKING

SINGAPORE - OCTOBER 25: during day 3 of the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore at Singapore Sports Hub on October 25, 2016 in Singapore. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) |

Photo BY Getty

Sania Mirza Secures 2016 WTA Year-End No.1 Doubles Ranking, presented by Dubai Duty Free

– Mirza has held onto the No.1 spot for 81 consecutive weeks

– The Indian star won eight titles in 2016, including the Australian Open

– Angelique Kerber previously secured the Year-End No.1 Singles Ranking, presented by Dubai Duty Free

The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) announced today that Sania Mirza has secured the 2016 WTA Year-End World No.1 Doubles Ranking, presented by Dubai Duty Free.

“Dubai Duty Free congratulates Sania Mirza on capturing the 2016 WTA Year End No.1 ranking, ” said Salah Tahlak, Executive Vice President – Corporate Services at Dubai Duty Free and Tournament Director of Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. “We are pleased to present the Year-End No.1 trophy to Mirza which signifies her fantastic 2016 on court accomplishments. We continue to be a long standing and proud partner of the WTA and look forward to welcoming Mirza back to Dubai in 2017 to participate in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.”

Mirza won eight titles with three different partners in 2016, clinching her third Grand Slam trophy at the Australian Open with Martina Hingis. The Indian-Swiss duo claimed two titles before their win in Melbourne at the Brisbane International and the Apia International Sydney and then went on to win two additional titles at the St. Petersburg Ladies Trophy and the Internazionali BNL d’Italia – Rome. The Indian star began a new partnership with Barbora Strycova starting at the Western & Southern Open – Cincinnati in August, achieving instant success by winning the title. The pair lifted their second trophy at the Toray Pan Pacific Open – Tokyo. Mirza clinched one additional title in 2016 at the Connecticut Open – New Haven with Monica Niculescu.

“It’s very, very exciting to finish two years in a row as No.1,” said Mirza. “It’s been an incredible year for me again, with seven WTA titles, a Grand Slam and ending the year at the WTA Finals in Singapore. Finishing the year No.1 is amazing – it’s a dream come true and gives me motivation and inspiration to come out and work even harder next year.”

The World No.1 holds an 8-3 record in doubles finals this season and is a two-time champion of the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global – in 2014 (w/Black) and 2015 (w/Hingis). In addition, Mirza has held onto the No.1 ranking for 81 consecutive weeks and will finish as the year-end No.1 doubles player for the second consecutive year.

Mirza, 29, made history by becoming the first Indian woman to reach the No.1 ranking in doubles on April 13, 2015. The Indian star has clinched 40 WTA titles including three Grand Slam titles, one achieved this year. In August 2015, Mirza was presented with the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award, India’s highest sporting honor.

Sania Mirza of India (R) and Martina Hingis of Switzerland play a shot during their doubles final match against Andrea Hlavackova of of the Czech Republic and Lucie Hradecka of the Czech Republic at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 29 January 2016. EPA/MADE NAGI

Topics: 10sballs.com, Doubles tennis, Dubai Duty Free, Indian tennis, Martina Hingis, Sania Mirza, Sports, Tennis News, Wta