New York: Leander Paes is all set to cross
swords with former partner Mahesh Bhupathi in the title clash
of the US Open men's doubles event and the veteran Davis
Cupper feels the team that will withstand the pressure and
stay clinical would end up on the winning side.
For the first time Paes and Bhupathi will face each other
in the title clash of a Grand Slam after reaching the final
along with their respective partners.
"As for the final against Mahesh, we have faced each
other across the net enough times and there really is no room
for anything other than professionalism out there. The team
that stays clinical and executes its strategy best under
pressure will prevail," Paes said.
Paes is standing on the edge of double glory as he has a
chance to win two Grand Slam title here as he also made it to
the finals of the mixed doubles event along with Cara Black of
Zimbabwe and the Indian tennis ace is quite naturally elated.
"It doesn't get better than this. To make two finals in
the same Slam is really special. I am feeling great physically
and the hard work I put in before the hardcourt season is
showing as I am as fresh as I was in the opening rounds," he
said.
Talking about his high standard fitness level and
performance even at the age of 36, Paes said, "For me the true
greatness of a player lies in his longevity and I am glad that
I playing at this level after over two decades of competitive
tennis," he said.
Bureau Report
First Published: Friday, September 11, 2009, 00:25