A poor tournament in singles, Daniela made up for it in style when she teamed up with regular partner (and doubles specialist) Ai Sugiyama to win the Tier 2 event doubles title. It is the pair’s first title this year and second overall as a team – they also made two finals last year in San Diego (above pic) and in Zurich.
The pair beat this year’s Australian Open champions Ti Ling and Tiantian Sun of China in straight sets 6-4, 6-4. “We are delighted to have won here. It was a good effort by both of us after we lost in the singles event. We are happy with the effort,” Hantuchova said after the final. Quote from ‘The Peninsula’.
This will sit nicely in Hantuchova’s trophy cabinet, alongside: six doubles trophies – including two from last year at Birmingham (w. Sugiyama) and Filderstadt (w. Myskina) and all four Grand Slam titles in Mixed Doubles (Daniela is only the fifth woman in history to achieve the career grand slam in this category).
There is one more trophy gathering dust in that glittering dresser; the 2002 Indian Wells trophy, Daniela’s first and only WTA tour title. It was a huge achievement: Daniela beat Justine Henin in the semi finals in straight sets and then demolished Martina Hingis in the final 6-3, 6-4.
Today is the first day of the 2006 championships, and Daniela isn’t there…..
Picture from danielafrenchsite
All Things Tennis 