HARARE - Zimbabwean tennis ace Cara Black on Saturday rekindled memories of her past form after helping her doubles partner Sania Mirza to capture the pan-Pacific Open doubles title in Tokyo.
The duo overcame Spain’s Barbine Muguruza and Carla Suarez Navarro 6-2, 7-5 to successfully defend the USD 1 million event.
For Sania it was another feather to her cap following her US Open mixed doubles triumph with Brazilian partner Bruno Soares whilst it was a 59th career title for 35-year-old Cara who continues to defy the odds.
In the final, Sania-Cara pair took just an hour and 15 minutes to dispose of the Spanish challenge as their opponents were no match for them.
The Indo-Zimbabwean pair had a greater percentage (73 percent) of points won on first serve while they broke their opponents seven times in the match.
Cara and Sania have reached five finals this year which include the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, United States in March, the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany in April, the Portugal Open in Oeiras in May and Rogers Cup in Montreal, Canada in August.
Cara continues to surprise many with incredible performances on the WTA tour.
The Zimbabwean sensation has now accrued more US$7 million in prize money since turning professional in 1998.
Her starring career has so far seen her winning a total of 10 Grand Slam titles in women’s doubles and mixed doubles combined.
The three-time Zimbabwe Sportsperson of the Year, who climbed to position seven in June on the women doubles world rankings, is now a globe-trotter on the doubles circuit.
Her life of glamour is far removed from the 22-acre avocado pear trees and vegetable plantation where she grew up outside Harare.
She has however opened up in recent interview with the Daily News that life as a professional is not as rosy as the prize monies might suggest.