Sania Mirza has become the first Indian woman to claim the number one doubles ranking after nabbing the Charleston title with partner Martina Hingis.

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Hingis and Mirza captured their third doubles title in as many tournaments, after triumphs in the Indian Wells and Miami hardcourt events.

The duo hadn’t dropped a set in their two prior tournaments, but they were tested on the green clay courts of Charleston, saving a match point against Anabel Medina Garrigues and Yaroslava Shvedova in the semi-finals.

Yesterday they defeated Casey Dellacqua and Darija Jurak 6-0, 6-4 to lift the trophy. Mirza becomes the first Indian woman to reach number one in either singles or doubles.

“It’s a dream for every kid to be No1 one day,” said Mirza. “I can’t think of a better person to do it with. When we came here we had one thing in mind, to get No1, and she (Hingis) really helped me get there.

“She helped me through some tough moments this week. She’s just a great person and a great player. We also become the No1 team in the world today with this. I hope we have many, many more tournaments and end the year on a high as well.”

Mirza has won seven WTA doubles titles over the last 12 months – Oeiras, Tokyo and the WTA Finals last year with Zimbabwe’s Cara Black, Sydney this year with American Bethanie Mattek-Sands, and her three titles with Hingis.

She also won her third Grand Slam mixed doubles title last September at the US Open, with Brazilian partner Bruno Soares.

Yesterday’s success with Swiss veteran Hingis was extra special with Mirza praising her partner as being an inspiration.

“I don’t want to make you feel old, but I did watch you as a kid,” she said, drawing laughter from Hingis. “You were an idol to most young girls at the time. You made it when you were 15.”