Nuria Llagostera Vives, Maria Jose Sanchez Martinez, and their backing band. Photo via d.yimg.com

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I don't usually give doubles any attention, but major felicitations are in order for the superfluously named doubles team of Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez and Nuria Llagostera Vives, who won the Sony Ericsson Championships in
Doha.

Not only did the Spaniards defeat the top ranked team of Liezel Huber and Cara Black in the final, they beat the much better pairing of Venus and Serena Williams in the semifinal.

The pair has never won a grand slam, but they won an incredible six tour titles in 2009 before this event.  The two were clearly happier to be there than any of the other competitors, and somehow seemed to fill the entire stadium with Spanish fans.  The two even brought their own flamenco band, which played during the trophy ceremony.

In other news, this super tiebreak in doubles has got to go when it comes to important matches.  All three matches in Doha's absurdly abbreviated doubles draw went to the super tiebreak, and each match would have been richer for having a full third set.