Tennis: Hingis and Kournikova win title

Martina Hingis and Anna Kournikova have won the women’s doubles title at the Australian Open in Melbourne.

The Switzerland-Russia combination beat Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia and Spain’s Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario 6-2 6-7 (4/7) 6-1.

It was Hingis’ fourth doubles title at the tournament and she also partnered Kournikova to win the event in 1999.

The number three seeds looked to be heading for a straight-sets victory but Hantuchova and Sanchez-Vicario battled back to force a tie-break which they won 7-4.

A delighted Kournikova said: ‘‘I’m really happy, this is only our third Grand Slam playing together and our second win.’’