One of the best doubles pairings of modern tennis history, Italians Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci, will be back playing together after dissolving their partnership in 2015 this summer. The Italians decided to represent their country in the Olympic games, raising Italy's hopes for a medal and enhancing the competition in doubles. Vinci and Errani have won five Grand Slam titles together, having completed the Career Grand Slam at Wimbledon 2014. Both have reached world number one in doubles and they were co-number ones for a long period, so definitely you can't doubt them.
Reviving the past
As mentioned, Errani and Vinci are legends in terms of doubles tennis. Starting to play regularly together in 2011, they have made eight Grand Slam Finals, winning five of them and making the Career Grand Slam. Actually, the only big trophies missing from their case are WTA Finals and the Olympic Gold, which they are chasing in Rio this year. Moreover, Vinci has been doubles world number one for 110 weeks, seventh best record in the Open Era, and Εrrani has been for 87 weeks, which is the eighth best record.
The Italians have been known for their great chemistry on court, their intelligence, their patience, their fight, their speed and their net play, really important capabilities for doubles players that have helped them in their also successful singles careers. They were significantly known for being capable of playing both at the net simultaneously and despite not having the biggest weapons, as killer groundstrokes or big serves, they could trap their opponents in their web most of the times. That is why that even if they have been a year away from the tour they should always be considered great threats.
The doubles are heating up for Olympics
The Italians are committed to playing at the Rogers Cup as a warm-up event leading to the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. On their quest for the precious Olympic medal that is absent from their trophy collection, Vinci and Errani will have tough competition. France's Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic, who won the French Open, will be there accompanied by one of the biggest rivalry pairing for the Italians, the Russian double of Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina. We should not forget the Spaniards Carla Suarez Navarro and Garbine Muguruza and of course the Czechs, who are always up for a great team in doubles. Australian Open Runner-ups Lucie Hradecka and Andrea Hlavackova are a possible choice and they have been great rivals for the Italians as well. Also, we should not be surprised if we see the Williams sisters teaming up once again or a potential Swiss team with doubles world number one Martina Hingis and Belinda Bencic.
Pennetta considering the Olympics
The US Open champion Flavia Pennetta, who retired at the end of last year, said that she would have played if Errani and Vinci did not decide to team up again. However, we do not know if there is still a window of opportunity to see her in singles or mixed doubles.