US Open triumph a relief for family, says Leander Paes' father

Kolkata: Father of India's ace tennis player Leander Paes, Vece Paes, said here on Saturday that his son's victory at the U.S. Open along with partner Martina Hingis has come as a relief to the family.

Martina Hingis and Leander once again proved to be a potent partnership as the Swiss-Indo duo captured their third mixed doubles title of the year with victory at the U.S. Open on Friday.

"It's exciting obviously that they have clicked as a pair; this is their third grand slam of the year and we expect it to go on for a couple of years. It is also a relief, that he or rather they have put so much of effort in the team and the fact that they could succeed, gives us a sense of relief," said the ecstatic Vece.

The Australian Open and Wimbledon champions came back from 4-1 down in the championship tiebreak to storm to victory with a 6-4 3-6 10-7 win over Americans Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Sam Querrey.

Hingis and Leander became the first duo to capture three major mixed titles in the same year since Margaret Court and Marty Riessen achieved the feat in 1969.

The triumph earned 42-year-old Leander a ninth mixed doubles trophy and 17th grand slam title.

Hingis, the 1997 Wimbledon singles champion, claimed her third mixed title and her overall grand slam doubles tally now stands at 13.

Leander now has eight mixed doubles titles to go with eight men's doubles trophies he has won at the majors.

Hingis could add to her haul over the weekend when she teams up with Sania Mirza, in the women's doubles final.