Monday, September 14, 2009

Paes-Dlouhy topple Bhupathi-Knowles

New York, Sep 14: India’s Leander Paes claimed his 10th Grand Slam title when he and Czech Republic’s Lukas Dlouhy made a remarkable comeback to beat Mahesh Bhupathi and Mark Knowles of Bahamas at the US Open men]s doubles final here.

Paes and Dlouhy won the thrilling final 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 in a match that stretched to two hours. The 36-year-old Paes, who lost in the finals of the mixed doubles while pertnering Zimbabwean Cara Black, overcame a sore shoulder to ensure that he goes home with at lease one title. “I’m a little numb at the moment because it’s just been a mammoth effort over the past two weeks,” Paes said. Paes and Dlouhy were beaten by Bryan twins Bob and Mike in the title clash here in 2008, but they avenged their defeat in the semi-finals this year. This was Paes’ sixth men’s doubles title and 10th overall in 19 final appearances. Paes also got the upper hand on Bhupathi, his longtime former partner. Facing off for a 19th time since splitting up in 2000, Paes edged ahead 10-9. The two were meting each other in a Grand Slam final for the first time.

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