Hingis wins 1st Grand Slam title since her return

Martina Hingis of Switzerland, top, and Leander Paes of India celebrate. (Bernat Armangue/AP)

MELBOURNE, Australia — Martina Hingis won her first Grand Slam title since returning from retirement, teaming with Leander Paes of India to win the Australian Open mixed doubles title with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Kristina Mladenovic of France and Daniel Nestor of Canada.

With Paes serving for the match, Hingis, a five-time singles champion, hit a hard overhead to Mladenovic, who netted a half volley from near the baseline.

Hingis, who won three singles and six doubles titles at Melbourne Park, returned to the tour to play doubles in 2013 and teamed with the 41-year-old Paes for the first time at the Australian Open.

Hingis, 34, won the 2006 Australian Open mixed doubles title with Manesh Bhupathi, who was Paes’ former longtime doubles partner.

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