Mumbai: Leander Paes moved a step closer to a grand double after clinching the US Open mixed doubles title yesterday. The celebrations though, will have to wait. For, Paes is set to partner Lukas Dlouhy in men's doubles final tonight.
"Sadly, there's no time to celebrate as the doubles final is less than 24 hours away. So, no party tonight… we'll celebrate tomorrow. Hopefully, it will be a double delight," Paes told MiD DAY from New York.
The 35-year-old, who was partnered by Zimbabwe's Cara Black (29), defeated Britain's Jamie Murray and American Liezel Huber 7-6 (8/6), 6-4 in the final.
Paes and his Czech partner Lukas Dlouhy have already made it to the men's doubles final and will face brothers Mike and Bob Bryan of the US.
Paes, who won the Wimbledon alongside American Lisa Raymond in 1999 and the Wimbledon and Australian Open crowns in 2003 with US star Martina Navratilova, said: "It was a tough match. No final is easy. The joy of finally winning a mixed doubles title at US Open is fantastic. I have lost two mixed finals here previously."
Paes, pairing with American Meghann Shaughnessy had lost last year's final to Max Mirnyi and Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.
In 2001, Paes and Lisa Raymond fell in the final to Australians Todd Woodbridge and Rennae Stubbs.
"Cara played really well and backed me up just when I needed it. She had a couple of fantastic reflexes at 6-4 in the second set. I knew we would win it then," he said.
Paes also added: "Cara's been wanting to partner me for quite sometime. Thankfully, we met a few months ago and got together," Paes said.However, the Paes hopes to carry on with Black for some years now. "We will play together through this season and next as well," he signed off.
"Sadly, there's no time to celebrate as the doubles final is less than 24 hours away. So, no party tonight… we'll celebrate tomorrow. Hopefully, it will be a double delight," Paes told MiD DAY from New York.
The 35-year-old, who was partnered by Zimbabwe's Cara Black (29), defeated Britain's Jamie Murray and American Liezel Huber 7-6 (8/6), 6-4 in the final.
Paes and his Czech partner Lukas Dlouhy have already made it to the men's doubles final and will face brothers Mike and Bob Bryan of the US.
Paes, who won the Wimbledon alongside American Lisa Raymond in 1999 and the Wimbledon and Australian Open crowns in 2003 with US star Martina Navratilova, said: "It was a tough match. No final is easy. The joy of finally winning a mixed doubles title at US Open is fantastic. I have lost two mixed finals here previously."
Paes, pairing with American Meghann Shaughnessy had lost last year's final to Max Mirnyi and Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.
In 2001, Paes and Lisa Raymond fell in the final to Australians Todd Woodbridge and Rennae Stubbs.
"Cara played really well and backed me up just when I needed it. She had a couple of fantastic reflexes at 6-4 in the second set. I knew we would win it then," he said.
Paes also added: "Cara's been wanting to partner me for quite sometime. Thankfully, we met a few months ago and got together," Paes said.However, the Paes hopes to carry on with Black for some years now. "We will play together through this season and next as well," he signed off.
source: www.mid-day.com
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