PM Modi, President congratulate Paes-Hingis pair for US Open triumph

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday congratulated veteran Indian tennis player Leander Paes and his Swiss partner Martina Hingis for winning the US Open mixed doubles title in New York.

"Well played again, @Leander & @mhingis. Congrats on a great win. We are all very delighted. @usopen," Modi said in a tweet.

"Well done @Leander @mhingis, hearty congratulations on winning the U.S Open mixed doubles," President Mukherjee said in the official Twitter account of Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal also congratulated Paes and Hingis on their historic feat.

"Many congratulations to @Leander and @mhingis.You guys are truly legendary!!," he tweeted.

The fourth seeded Indo-Swiss pair, edged past unseeded Americans Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Sam Querrey 6-4 3-6 10-7 in a tricky final to win their third Major title together this season.

The 42-year-old Paes has now won nine Grand Slam mixed doubles titles, surpassing compatriot and former partner Mahesh Bhupathi's record of eight titles.

He is now behind only legendary Martina Navratilova, who won 10 mixed doubles trophies. Of those 10, two came with Paes only when they won Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2003.