Hingis wins mixed doubles

Former world number one Martina Hingis capped a successful return to grand slam tennis when she joined up with Indian doubles specialist Mahesh Bhupathi to win the Australian Open mixed doubles title on Sunday, beating Daniel Nestor of Canada and Russian

Hingis reached the women's singles quarter-finals in her first grand slam appearance since injury forced her into premature retirement in 2002.

The Swiss won five grand slam singles titles, including three straight Australian crowns from 1997-99, and was also a leading doubles player.

She won 36 doubles titles before retiring, including nine grand slams, but rarely played mixed doubles. Sunday's success with India's Bhupathi was her first grand slam mixed doubles title.

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TENNIS 2006 AUSTRALIAN OPEN Hingis Bhupathi mixed doubles final

Image credit: Reuters

"I just wanted this one badly. My first mixed doubles title, it definitely exceeded my expectations," Hingis said.

Hingis said the mixed doubles win and her performance in reaching the last eight of the singles, where she was beaten by second seed Kim Clijsters, had given her great confidence as she feels her way back into the game.

"I played well in the first tournament back," she said.

Hingis's total of grand slam titles now stands at 15 - five singles, nine women's doubles and one mixed doubles. Eight of those 15 titles were in Australia.

Bhupathi has won six grand slam mixed doubles titles, each with a different partner, as well as the past three.

The 31-year-old Indian won the Wimbledon title with Mary Pierce last year and then claimed the U.S. Open title with Daniela Hantuchova.

He said he had no hesitation in sending Hingis's agent an e-mail when he heard she was making her comeback asking if she would partner him in Melbourne.

"Fortunately, I got the positive answer and I think the rest is history," Bhupathi said.

"I think we'll stick together for a while," he said.