SINGAPORE - India's Sania Mirza will return to Singapore in October to defend her doubles title in the professional women's Tour's season-finale - but with a different partner this time.
The world's No. 1 doubles player qualified for the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global with Switzerland's Martina Hingis, after the duo lifted the Wimbledon crown together.
Their partnership, while new, has achieved much success since it started in March. They also won the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Miami Open and the Family Circle Cup.
Hingis previously participated in the WTA Finals in both singles and doubles from 1996 to 2000. She won the singles title twice (1998, 2000) and the doubles event twice (1999, 2000, both with Anna Kournikova).
Said Mirza: "For me as an Asian player it's really exciting to be playing in Singapore. The crowd that supports us is incredible and there's a great atmosphere at the event. Martina and I have had some incredible results this season and I'll do whatever I can to defend my title."
Added Hingis: "Qualifying for the WTA Finals again is a dream come true. When I stopped playing in 2007, I never dreamed of coming back - but returning and now playing for the year-end doubles title is way above my expectations. Since I started playing with Sania, it's been a joy - we always keep fighting and we motivate each other. And now after winning our first Grand Slam on grass, we're just both so happy."
The 2015 edition of the WTA Finals, the second of five instalments to be held here, will take place from Oct 23-Nov 1 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
