Lee-Hesh duo back to winning ways
CHENNAI: It was yesterday once more for Indian tennis, and the Chennai Open on Sunday. Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi won their first ATP title in more than six years when they beat the Dutch-American combo of Robin Haase and David Martin 6-2, 6-7(3), 10-7.
The Indian Express played a perfect game in the first set during which Haase and Martin were no more than spectators, but lost a bit of edge to lose the second before finding their rhythm and shots again in the super set.
"The game we played in the super tiebreak was of highest quality. We haven't played such high quality tennis in a very long time," said Bhupathi later, adding, "We have been able to play high level of tennis for 14 years and we are immensley proud of that." Paes nodded along.
Earlier, it was the story of the wildcard that turned out to be an ace. Swissman Stanislas Wawrinka started slowly but finished emphatically to win the singles final, systematically dismantling Belgian Xavier Malisse, a former champion in 2007, for a 7-5, 4-6, 6-1 victory. "It's the perfect way to start the season," said Wawrinka. "I had come here a week early and had trained hard. And it's a perfect result for me."
It was Malisse who had the better start. Wawrinka's serve was under pressure in the very first game and had to save three break points. Malisse looked unstoppable, but it didn't last long for the Belgian as Wawrinka came right back to take the title.
Later, in the marquee show the doubles final - it was the Indian pair all the way in the first set. After taking care of Haase's service game to go 2-0 up Paes and Bhupathi pounced on Martin's serve in the eighth game of the match.
Leander pounced on Martin's loose return to give Indians the first point of the game and then Bhupathi took over. Bhupathi met a Martin volley emphatically at the net, banging the ball into his body.
Then he played a superb back hand crosscourt winner. Though the Dutch-American combo made it ! deuce, a Haase return soon hit as the Indians grabbed the set at 6-2.
In the second set Paes' serve was in trouble in the third game when a Haase back hand gave Martin and Haase two break points. And though a wild Martin shot helped the Indians save one, Martin made up when his backhand return of serve found Paes in no man's land.
The Indian Express played a perfect game in the first set during which Haase and Martin were no more than spectators, but lost a bit of edge to lose the second before finding their rhythm and shots again in the super set.
"The game we played in the super tiebreak was of highest quality. We haven't played such high quality tennis in a very long time," said Bhupathi later, adding, "We have been able to play high level of tennis for 14 years and we are immensley proud of that." Paes nodded along.
Earlier, it was the story of the wildcard that turned out to be an ace. Swissman Stanislas Wawrinka started slowly but finished emphatically to win the singles final, systematically dismantling Belgian Xavier Malisse, a former champion in 2007, for a 7-5, 4-6, 6-1 victory. "It's the perfect way to start the season," said Wawrinka. "I had come here a week early and had trained hard. And it's a perfect result for me."
It was Malisse who had the better start. Wawrinka's serve was under pressure in the very first game and had to save three break points. Malisse looked unstoppable, but it didn't last long for the Belgian as Wawrinka came right back to take the title.
Later, in the marquee show the doubles final - it was the Indian pair all the way in the first set. After taking care of Haase's service game to go 2-0 up Paes and Bhupathi pounced on Martin's serve in the eighth game of the match.
Leander pounced on Martin's loose return to give Indians the first point of the game and then Bhupathi took over. Bhupathi met a Martin volley emphatically at the net, banging the ball into his body.
Then he played a superb back hand crosscourt winner. Though the Dutch-American combo made it ! deuce, a Haase return soon hit as the Indians grabbed the set at 6-2.
In the second set Paes' serve was in trouble in the third game when a Haase back hand gave Martin and Haase two break points. And though a wild Martin shot helped the Indians save one, Martin made up when his backhand return of serve found Paes in no man's land.
Comments