Sania-Kim beat Williams sisters

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 on Wednesday.

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.

Sania-Clijsters beat Serena-Venus

It was the first international level match Sania was playing in three months afterpulling out of a Tour event in Bangkok in October with a back strain.

Sania is slated to take on Venus in the singles match on Thursday.

The 19-year-old Hyderabadi and Clijsters will take on the winner of Lindsay Davenport/Nicole Vaidisova vs Elena Dementiava/Zheng Jie match in the final.

First Published: Jan 05, 2006 10:57 IST