India`s star doubles players Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi have decided to part ways for the second time after a recent string of disappointing performances. They have not been doing too well in recent weeks. It was Mahesh who decided to opt for a separate partner, Leander`s father Vaes Paes told a news agency on Monday.
The senior Paes said Mahesh came up to Leander after the duo`s first round loss at Delray beach tournament last week and expressed his desire to play with a new partner.
“Lee was surprised. But life has to go on,” He said. Leander has temporarily teamed up with South African John Laffnie De Jager for the Indian Wells Masters starting on Monday, while Bhupathi has joined forces with US` Jan Michael Gambill. Asked whether he was hopeful of the two coming together again, Dr Paes said, “The two are a very good doubles team. So I hope whatever decisions they take is the best for them as well as for the country.”
However, it is up to them. This time the decision seems to have been taken in a matured way, so if it not to be it is not to be. India`s finest doubles combination, winners of three grand slam titles, of all time split for the first time about two years ago, but then decided to team up again in late 2000 after performing below par with different partners.
But they suffered a string of reverses during the last five weeks and dropped out of the top ten in the ATP doubles champions race. They had also lost in the round-robin league stage of the world doubles challenge in Bangalore. Bureau Report