Rio Olympics: After 20 years absence, Martina Hingis makes doubles final

Rio de Janeiro: Martina Hingis marked her return to the Olympic Games after a 20-year absence by reaching the women`s doubles final in dramatic style after an opponent was hit in the eye by the ball.

Hingis and her Swiss compatriot Timea Bacsinszky saw off Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka of the Czech Republic 5-7, 7-6 (7/3), 6-2 in Friday`s semi-final.

However, the match turned with the Czechs leading by a set, 5-4 and 30-15, putting them just two points from the final.

Hlavackova was accidentally hit in the eye by a powerful Hingis drive and required lengthy treatment.

Although she played on, the momentum swung in the direction of the Swiss team who will face Russia`s Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina for the gold medal.