Australian Open Mixed-Doubles Final: Sania Mirza-Ivan Dodig fail to clinch the title

This was Sania's second Australian Open mixed doubles final after winning in 2009 with compatriot Mahesh Bhupathi.

By: Score Keepers |
January 29, 2017 11:57 am

Tags: Sania Mirza,

India’s tennis ace Sania Mirza and her Croatian partner Ivan Dodig were beaten 2-6, 4-6 by unseeded American Abigail Spears and Colombian Juan Sebastian Cabal in the Australian Open mixed doubles final on Sunday.

The Indo-Croatian pair accepted defeat in one hour and three minutes.

Before reaching the finals, Sania-Dodig overcame a tough one-hour-18-minute battle in the semi-final against Aussies Samantha Stosur and Sam Groth 6-4, 2-6, (10-5) on Friday. Abigail-Cabal defeated Elina Svitolina of Ukraine and Aussie Chris Guiccione 7-6 (1), 6-2 in the last four stage.

This was Sania’s second Australian Open mixed doubles final after winning in 2009 with compatriot Mahesh Bhupathi.

She has won three mixed doubles titles, the last being the 2014 US Open with Brazilian Bruno Soares. The 30-year-old Hyderabadi has six major titles in her kitty, three in mixed doubles and three in women’s doubles.

Here are the highlights:

1 set

Sania- Ivan Dodig lose first set, they are down 0-3.
It’s 4-0 for Spears-Cabal. The Indo-Croatian pair need to show some extraordinary game to be back into the game.
Indo-Croatian pair made a come back as they won one game. It’s 4-1 in the 1set of Australian Mixed doubles final.
It’s 5-1 now, Sania really need to show her strength. Spears-Cabal showing their class.
Its 5-2 now, Indo-Croatian made a bit of comeback.
1set over now, Spears-Cabal leading by 6-1. It has been a dissapointing start for Sania-Dodig.

The Mixed Doubles Final is underway on RLA!

Spears/Cabal take the 1st set over Mirza/Dodig 6-2.#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/an9E6VS22D

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 29, 2017

2nd Set

The Indo-Croatian pair made a strong comeback. It’s 2-0 now.
Saina and his partner now showing their class. They are now leading the 2nd set 3-0
Spears-Cabal made a comeback, the game stands now at 3-1
Oh its 4-1 now, Sania Mirza and her partner from Croatia going strong and much focused now.
It’s 4-2 now, Spears-Cabal played superbly. not giving any chances to Indo-Croatian pair to seal the 2nd set.
Spears-Cabal back into the game, it’s 4-3 now.
Oh, its 4-4 now, unbelievable show by Spears-Cabal.
From 4-1, its 5-4 now, Spears-Cabal showed their class of play and made a comeback. Difficult for Sania and her partner to be back into the game.
And, its all over, Spears-Cabal won the mixed-doubles final at Melbourne.

Doubles delight!@SpearsAbigail & @juanscabal take out no.2 seeds Mirza/Dodig 6-4 6-4 for the Mixed Doubles championship!#ausopen pic.twitter.com/uRgFS45oma

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 29, 2017

Congratulations Abigail #Spears and @juanscabal #AusOpen 2017 mixed doubles champions! pic.twitter.com/CfEMicCJoH

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 29, 2017