PTI

Hong Kong, Jan 5: Sania Mirza, pairing up with US Open champion Kim Clijsters, started 2006 with a thrilling doubles win over the Williams sisters at the Watsons Water Challenge exhibition event in Hong Kong on Wednesday.

Sania and Clijsters defeated Serena and Venus 8-7 (7/2) in a best of 15 games single set 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 reigning Grand Slam champions.

It was the first international level match Sania was playing in three months after pulling out of a WTA 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 doubles final.