Suddenly Sania! Social Media Salutes New Doubles No. 1

India’s most successful WTA player added another page to the history books at this year’s Family Circle Cup in Charleston. Sania Mirza, a former Top 30 singles player and current doubles specialist, has been on a tear since pairing up with Swiss Miss Martina Hingis; the two have been undefeated as a pair, capturing the elusive Indian Wells-Miami double in their first two events together. In her most recent comeback, Hingis reaped successes with Sabine Lisicki and Flavia Pennetta – reaching last year’s US Open final with the latter – but seemed to be looking for something new after a lackluster start to 2015.

For Mirza, who was already having a solid year on the doubles circuit, Charleston marked an especially crucial week, as a third successive title would also mean a landmark moment for the Indian star: the No. 1 ranking.

It didn’t come easily; after two titles without losing a set, Mirza and Hingis had to fight just to reach the final of the Family Circle Cup, recovering from a set down in their opening round and battling through a trio of three-setters in total. Along the way, Mirza more than held her own alongside her illustrious partner, showing off the kind of impressive anticipation and improvisation one might have expected from Hingis herself.

In the end, the final against Casey Dellacqua and Darija Jurak was a mix of their hard and clay success: a blow out opening set and a tense ending clinched off a Dellacqua double fault. No matter for Mirza, who slapped away the missed serve and ran to hug a happy Hingis, who swirled her finger around to signal “No. 1.”

As has quickly become tradition in a season of milestones, Mirza earned the trophy, the No. 1 ranking, and the best reward of all: cake!

After all, there was plenty to celebrate; the new No. 1 clinched the top spot on her fifth wedding anniversary:

India’s most esteemed all sent their congratulations, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi:

Politician and former tennis player Kiran Bedi:

Musician Shekhar Ravjani:

And cricketer Virat Kohli:

Players also turned up to send their love on Twitter:

After the match, Mirza had plenty to say in her post-match press:

All in all, it was a week Sania Mirza, Charleston champ and new World No. 1, will not soon forget!

What do you think about Mirza and Hingis’ doubles success? Sound off in the comments!