Sania Mirza, Clijsters beat Williams sisters

HONG KONG, Jan 5 2006

Sania Mirza celebrated her return to courts by pairing up with US Open champion Kim Clijsters in a thrilling doubles win over the Williams sisters at the Watsons Water Challenge exhibition event here yesterday.

Sania and Clijsters defeated Serena and Venus 8-7 (7/2) in a best of 15 match at the Victoria Park stadium. It is a delightful experience to partner a player like Kim and very exciting to win a match against Venus and Serena, Sania said after the match.

The eight-player exhibition event features the cream of women s tennis including three of the reigning Grand Slam champions. It was the first international level match Sania was playing in three months after pulling out of a Tour event in Bangkok in October with a back strain.