Melbourne: Mahesh Bhupathi and Sania Mirza clinched the mixed doubles title at the Australian Open on Sunday defeating Andy Ram of Israel and Natalie Dechy of France in the final at Melbourne.
Bhupathi and Sania won the mixed doubles final in straight sets 6-3, 6-1 at Rod Laver Arena. The Indian duo steamrolled their opponents in a one-sided match losing just four games.
It is the first time an Indian pair has won the mixed doubles title at a Grand Slam event.
"First and foremost I would like to thank Craig Tiley (tournament director at the Open). He gave us a wild card to get us into the mixed doubles and gave us this opportunity to win. Thank you very much Craig. I would like to thank and congratulate my partner. This is her first Grand Slam. You (Sania Mirza) have been playing great and hopefully there will be many more to come," said Bhupathi at the presentation ceremony.
"Andy and Nathalie a great week but I am sorry. Like you said we were a bit too hot today. Hopefully next time," he said addressing the runners-up team.
"On half of players I would like to say Australian Open is definitely our favourite Grand Slam. A quick thank you to my box over there. It has been an emotional roller-coaster this weekend but thanks a lot for keeping me as positive as possible," he added.
The win is 11th Grand Slam title for Bhupathi while it is the first Grand Slam title for Sania. The win is also Sania's first major win after returning from injury.
Seven of Bhupathi's Grand Slam wins have come in mixed doubles. He won a mixed title at the Australian Open in 2006 with Martina Hingis.
Most of Bhupathi's Grand Slam wins have come partnering Leander Paes. The duo won three titles from 1999 to 2001 conquered French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open.
Bhupathi alongwith Max Mirnyi won the US Open crown a second time in 2002. He partnered Ai Sugiyama, Max Mirnyi and Daniela Hantuchova to win the US Open in 1999, 2002 and 2005.
Elena Likhotseva and Mary Pierce were his partners when he won Wimbledon mixed doubles twice.
Rika Hiraki partnered him in the French Open win back in 1997.
The win is India’s second title at this year’s Australian Open.
Yuki Bhambri on Saturday created history becoming the first Indian to win the Australian Open boys singles title.
Bhambri defeated Alexandros-Ferdinandos Georgoudas of Germany in straight sets 6-3, 6-1.
He came into the Australian Open as the top seed and is the only Indian to win a Junior Grand Slam after Leander Paes won the Wimbledon in 1990 and the US Open in 1991.
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