The participation of Rafael Nadal and Maria Sharapova (already out of the tournament but her chewing brand 'Sugarpova' being sold like hotcakes) have surely brightened the festive mood and spirit of the tennis fans at this year's China Open, being staged in Beijing to coincide with the week-long National Day Holidays. But another highlight of the tournament was the partnership of India's Sania Mirza with home favourite Shuai Peng in the women's doubles before they were knocked out by the top-seeded pair of Martina Hingis and Taiwanese partner Chan Yung-Jan in the semi-finals on Saturday.

India's Sania Mirza (left) and Shuai Peng of China during their China Open match in Beijing. Pic/AFP