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Paes-Bhupathi`s Indian Express bound for Olympic gold
Paris, June 04: Estranged former Indian doubles stars Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi could bury their differences in a bid to earn an Olympic gold, Bhupathi revealed here.
Paris, June 04: Estranged former Indian doubles stars Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi could bury their differences in a bid to earn an Olympic gold, Bhupathi revealed here.
Bhupathi and Belarus doubles partner Max Mirnyi, the US Open champions, went down in three sets to Paes and Czech partner David Rikl in the men's doubles quarter-finals yesterday.
But after later advancing to the mixed doubles quarters with Russia's Elena Likhovtseva, Bhupathi said he would not rule out a reunion to play at the Athens Olympics.
"Both of us would like to go to the Olympics with the chance to win gold," said the 28-year-old from Bangalore. "I wouldn't say no, but we'll see, it's better that no one puts pressure on us."
"We were out there to play tennis today not to try and beat up each other," he added.
By contrast Paes said that the win was a bittersweet one for him against a partner with whom he won Wimbledon in 1999, and the French Open in 1999 and 2001.
The duo, popularly known as "The Indian Express" and who were once number one in the world, had already split once in 1999 before reforming their partnership just before the Sydney Olympics the following year, where they went out in the second round.
They reformed briefly to win the Mallorca title in April 2002 before separating again.
Bureau Report
Bhupathi and Belarus doubles partner Max Mirnyi, the US Open champions, went down in three sets to Paes and Czech partner David Rikl in the men's doubles quarter-finals yesterday.
But after later advancing to the mixed doubles quarters with Russia's Elena Likhovtseva, Bhupathi said he would not rule out a reunion to play at the Athens Olympics.
"Both of us would like to go to the Olympics with the chance to win gold," said the 28-year-old from Bangalore. "I wouldn't say no, but we'll see, it's better that no one puts pressure on us."
"We were out there to play tennis today not to try and beat up each other," he added.
By contrast Paes said that the win was a bittersweet one for him against a partner with whom he won Wimbledon in 1999, and the French Open in 1999 and 2001.
The duo, popularly known as "The Indian Express" and who were once number one in the world, had already split once in 1999 before reforming their partnership just before the Sydney Olympics the following year, where they went out in the second round.
They reformed briefly to win the Mallorca title in April 2002 before separating again.
Bureau Report