Hingis, Mirza Win Doubles Title, Mirza Claims World No. 1

At least for another day, Martina Hingis and Sania Mirza remain perfect.

MORE: Martina’s Big Comeback | Draws | PHOTOS: Hingis and Mirza Win the Cup

The top seeds at the Volvo Car Open won the doubles title on Sunday with a 6-0, 6-4 victory over Casey Dellacqua and Darija Jurak, the championship earning Mirza the No. 1 doubles ranking in the world.

It was a triumphant return for Hingis in Charleston, singles winner here in 1997 and 1999 as well as doubles champ in 1997. It marked the first time for the former world No. 1 in singles and doubles to play at the Cup since 2001.

By becoming No. 1, Mirza is the first Indian woman to reach that ranking. She’s just the 33rd woman to hold the ranking since the WTA began them, back in 1984.

It’s a 44th career doubles crown for Hingis and 26th for Mirza, who have collected winners’ trophies in Indian Wells, Miami and now Charleston in their first three tournaments as partners. In all, they’re an undefeated 14-0 in those three tournaments.

“For this to happen over three tournaments is pretty amazing,” said Mirza, the 28 year old. “For me to have Martina on my side, she helped me in some very tough moments and it helps when she’s been there, done that so many times, and she’s a great champion, and she helped me through those tough moments, and it’s a very special feeling.”

For Dellacqua and Jurak, it was just a second tournament together, having debuted in Miami.

In 1997, Hingis became the world No. 1 singles player for the first time in her career after winning the Volvo Car Open title, as well. Hingis and Mirza took a last-minute wild card into the Cup, something they’re happy now that they did.

“To come here to Charleston was almost like a bonus,” said Hingis. “Coming here and doing the hand shake (after the final), it’s like I’m very happy and I feel very honored to be along with Sania and helping her to become No. 1. I’m 34. So it’s like everything is a bonus, you know. Whatever happens now and helping or doing it, it’s just everything a great feeling.”

Mirza will become No. 1 in doubles when the rankings are released on Monday.

“To come through all that after all these years, and I mean for my family, the sacrifices we put in. We all have a story,” a reflective Mirza said. “And it all just seems worth it today, you know. And no one can take it away from me. I’m going to be the No. 1 in the world. Even 50 years from now I’ll go down as the former world No. 1, and that’s something that’s very, very special.”