Sania Mirza enters semifinals of Hobart International

The much-anticipated return of Sania Mirza continues on the right track as she managed to enter the semi-finals of her first WTA tournament in over two years. Partnering Ukraine's Nadiia Kichenok in the Hobart International, the duo got the better of the American pair of Vania King and Christina McHale 6-2, 4-6, 10-4 to enter the top four of the women's doubles event.

They will now face T Zidansek and M Bouzkova for a spot in the finals. The two defeated Ukranian K Bondarenko and Canada's S Finchman in the quarters to qualify for the semis.

Mirza and her partner were up a set in the quarters, but a tough comeback from their rivals meant that they went into the tie-breaker. They held their nerves, however, to outplay their opponents and take the game 10-4.

The former doubles world number 1 had taken a two-year maternity break, and is now eager to participate in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. She has been elated at her winning comeback, and has been taking to social media to share photos with her son. After the first match that Mirza won after her break, she had put up a Tweet that read, “Today was one of the most special days of my life. To have my parents and my little baby boy with me in my first match after so long..and we WON our first round.”

One of the biggest names in tennis before she took a name, Mirza last won a Grand Slam at the Wimbledon in 2015, where she partnered Martina Hingis.

The first-ever Indian to achieve the doubles number one ranking since Leander Paes, Mirza will turn up for the Australian Open with Rohan Bopanna. She was initially expected to play with Rajeev Ram, however, an injury forced him out. If she and Bopanna can notch up some memorable wins, Mirza's comeback trail will ensure that she emerges as a bigger inspiration to women around.