Sania, Bhupati win Australian Open mixed doubles title

MELBOURNE: Mahesh Bhupathi and Sania Mirza registered their first Grand Slam title together, crushing Andy Ram and Natalie Dechy in straight sets in the mixed doubles final of the Australian Open in Melbourne on Sunday. The duo defeated the pair of Nathalie Dechy from France and Israel’s Andy Ram 6-3, 6-1 at the Rod Laver arena in Melbourne Park.This is Sania Mirza’s first ever Grand Slam titile and also she is now the first Indian women to win a senior Grand Slam title. While, Bhupathi clinched his 11th career Grand Slam title. Hesh, who has seven mixed doubles titles under his belt now, had earlier won the Australian Open mixed doubles title with Switzerland’s Martina Hingis in 2006.Mahesh Bhupathi expressed joy after the victory in the presentation ceremony and said, “I would like to congratulate Sania on her first Grand Slam win, she has more to come by her way.I would also like to thank all those Indians who have stood by us and supported us throughout.”