Sania, Paes win second exhibition match

Martina Navratilova faces the power and precision of five-time Grand Slam-winner Sania Mirza’s forehand. And, this was one of the attractions as Sania partnered Leander Paes to defeat Navratilova and Mahesh Bhupathi 6-2, 7-6(3) in the second exhibition match at the Sania Mirza Tennis Academy near here on Thursday evening.

This was held as part of the promotion for the International Premier Tennis League being promoted by Mahesh Bhupathi.

The organisers sprang a surprise on the 500-odd select audience, announcing Sania would pair with Paes, unlike in Kolkata on Wednesday, where she won the first match partnering Bhupathi.

But the crowd clearly enjoyed the world class players in action; a contest which gave glimpses of the vintage days of the multiple Grand Slam-winner Navratilova and some stunning cross-court forehands from Bhupathi.

In what looked like a hint of Sania partnering Paes in the mixed doubles in the run-up to the 2016 Rio Olympics, the two showed why they can be a formidable combination.

“If I were given the choice, I would pick these two (Paes and Sania) to represent India in the Olympics.

“And they have a very good chance of winning a medal,” the legendary Navratilova remarked after the show.