Some players have expressed surprise that the top-ranked duo, Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci have split up. The Italians had finished at No. 1 for the last three years. But after winning in Montreal, they lost early for the rest of the season. This year, they won Auckland, but lost in the third round at the Australian Open and were shocked at Fed Cup, losing to France’s Carolina Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic, 6-1, 6-2, to drop the tie at home. They haven’t played together since then.

"We invested lots of energy, both mental and physical, to achieve our goals, which we are very proud of, therefore we now feel the need to rest and catch our breath," the five-time Grand Slam doubles champions said in a statement last week.

The duo added, "It's our common purpose to start new individual career paths and set brand new goals to try to reach. Also for you to enjoy and take pride in as still the world No.1 doubles pair, and grateful for the time we had together."  
Martina Hingis and Sania Mirza, meanwhile, started together at Indian Wells and won the title. "I think everyone was [surprised they split]," Mirza said. "Everyone was surprised when we didn't see them in the draw [at Indian Wells]. I was sure we were going to be No. 2 seeds, and then when the draw comes out—a lot of times I don't look at the draw. I just look like who do we play [first].

"That was a bit of a signal. We just thought someone was hurt or something because they had been playing a lot of singles lately, and then they made the call a few days later. They have achieved a lot as a team. I think any partnership that breaks up is sad. They have had a tremendous career together. I wish them well whoever they are playing with."

This means the Italians will not be rivals for Hingis and Mirza."That's  one less team to worry about for now at least," Mirza said.