The pure ecstasy was palpable. Racquets were thrown. Several manic jumps in the air were made. Then they wrapped each other in a big bear hug, one filled with so much joy, raw emotion and accomplishment, it propelled the normally staid centre court crowd at Wimbledon to rise and roar in appreciation.
India’s Sania Mirza and Switzerland’s Martina Hingis had won their first major as a pairing in women’s doubles, somehow overcoming a 5-2 hole in the deciding third set to beat Russian duo Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina 5-7, 7-6, 7-5. After a disappointing French Open campaign, the number one seeds had won at Wimbledon, tennis’ most iconic event.
The deciding set was an epic struggle, with Mirza and Hingis trailing for much of the match and struggling to dictate against the world’s number two ranked pair. They fought back with resilience and eventually their class told during an incredible last five games when the pair’s shot-making simultaneously caught fire and magical strokes continually ensued.
