Kolkata: Giving the home crowd something to cheer about, Sania Mirza partnered South African Liezel Huber to a comprehensive doubles victory at the $175,000 Sunfeast Open in Kolkata on Sunday.
Top seeds Sania and Huber scripted a convincing 6-4 6-0 win in just under an hour against Ukrainian duo of Yuliana Fedak and Yulia Beygelzimer in the final to clinch their third career title on the WTA Tour.
The pair, who had won at Hyderabad in 2004 and at Bangalore this year, pocketed a winners' cheque of $8,250 and 120 WTA points.
The result was symbolic of Sania's fortunes on the court this season which has seen her struggle in the singles play but flourish in doubles.
It was her fifth appearance in a doubles final this year, having also ended runner up at Amelia Island (with Huber), at Istanbul (Alicia Molik) and Cincinnati (Domochowska).
"Any title is special. This is my first title in Kolkata. I hope I will comeback next year and win the singles," a jubilant Sania said after the match.
"Today, we played good tennis. I also played better. And what's important is that we won," said the 19-year-old from Hyderabad.
She also paid tributes to the crowd at the Netaji indoor stadium for their constant support to her.
Asked which were her best moments at the championship, Sania said, "the noise that I heard every time I came on court was indeed great. Even yesterday when I was losing (to Martina Hingis in the singles semi-final) they were cheering me to the last point. It gives us a good feeling that we can bring smiles to our fans."
Praising Huber, who is her mentor on the WTA Tour, the Hyderabad-based girl said she is a great doubles player.
"I have learnt a lot from her. My doubles game has improved because of her."
Sania said her partnership with Virginia Ruano Pascual in the maiden edition of the tournament last year had also been an educative experience.
Asked about the inconsistency in her game, Sania replied, "it happens. I can play ten minutes of good tennis and three hours of bad tennis."
However, Sania also asserted that she did not play poorly against Hingis in the semis.
"Today I was seeing my match against Hingis. And I think the score didn't indicate how I played."
Huber, who has won three doubles titles with Sania, said, "it is hard to believe that she is only 19. To have three doubles a title at such a young age is creditable."
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