The Hindu : Sport : Paes-Damm duo triumphs

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Monday, Sep 11, 2006
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Paes-Damm duo triumphs

PHOTO: MOHAMMED ABDUL HAQ

PERSISTENCE PAYS: Leander Paes celebrates his victory in the men's doubles final of the U.S. Open tennis championship in New York on Saturday. Paes and his Czech partner, Martin Damm, beat Jonas Bjorkman (Sweden) and Max Mirnyi (Belarus) 6-7, 6-4, 6-3 in the final. It was the Indian Davis Cup captain's fourth Grand Slam men's doubles title.

New York: Leander Paes and Martin Damm crowned their first year as a pair as they beat Jonas Bjorkman and Max Mirnyi 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-3 to win the men's doubles title at the U.S. Open on Saturday.

Indian Paes and Czech Damm were a break down in the second set but recovered to win in two hours, 35 minutes.

Bjorkman and Mirnyi, who lost to American brothers Bob and Mike Bryan in the final 12 months ago, looked on course for victory when they took the opening set on a tiebreak and broke in the first game of the second.

But Paes and Damm, beaten finalists at the Australian Open and who saved five match points in their semifinal win, roared back to clinch victory.

Paes said communication had been the key to his success with Damm.

"Martin is strong and plays more solid. I'm more flashy and a bit more quick. We really complement each other. "It's been a fantastic year playing with him. I've really enjoyed it. I'd like to thank him for a wonderful year."

— PHOTO: AFP

Leander Paes and Martin Damm celebrate their U.S. Open doubles final victory on Saturday.

The victory gave Damm his first Grand Slam title, while for Paes it was his fourth men's doubles crown and seventh in all.

Paes has his eyes set on the Doha Asian Games and has not ruled out taking the court in singles competition there.

Paes was also looking forward to grabbing an Asian Games gold by teaming up with Sania Mirza in the mixed doubles.

"I would look forward to playing with her. I was surprised when four days ago in the gym, Sania came up and asked `are you playing mixed doubles with me or what.' Last Asian Games, we got a bronze medal so there is lot of history in the partnership. It would be nice to share space on the court and hope we can do it better and come home with a gold," he said.

Masters Cup spot

The U.S. Open triumph has sealed Paes and Damm's spot at the season-ending Masters Cup in Shanghai. — Agencies

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