Hobart International: Sania Mirza enters women’s doubles semifinals after comeback from maternity

Indian tennis star Sania Mirza, who had taken nearly two years maternity leave, has entered the semi-finals of the Hobart International.

The player along with Ukrainian partner Nadiia Kichenok defeated the American duo of Vania King and Christina McHale 6-2 4-6 10-4 in a contest that lasted one hour and 24 minutes.

The fifth-seeded Indo-Ukrainian combination will now lock horns with the Slovenian-Czech pair of Tamara Zidansek and Marie Bouzkova.

Sania and Kichenok broke their opponents start twice to take the lead and also did well to save four break points in the opening set. In the second set, they went on to serve till the eighth game before King and McHale broke Sania and Kichenok to draw level in the contest.

@MirzaSania #HobartTennis pic.twitter.com/ohUkV06kYs

— Hobart International (@HobartTennis) January 16, 2020

However, the third set saw total domination from Sania and her partner as they continued with superior serves.

Before the ongoing event, Sania was last seen on the court at China Open in October 2017. 

Sania, who is a former world No. 1 in doubles has six Grand Slam titles to her credit.

She retired from the singles competition in 2013 after becoming the most successful Indian woman tennis player. 

In 2007, she had even attained a career-high 27th position in the WTA singles chart.