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Bhupati-Lucic lose in Wimbledon final

When it came right down to the wire, India's doubles ace Mahesh Bhupati failed to recapture the magic of Roland Garros 1997.

On that occasion, 'Hash', as he is known on the circuit, partnered Rika Hiraki of Japan to the title, against the odds.

This time round, Bhupati teamed up with upcoming Croat teen sensation Mirjana Lucic. Seeded fifth, the Bhupati-Lucic pairing more than justified their seeding when they stormed into the final.

However, that last hurdle proved one too many, as the scratch pairing went down to Serena Williams of the United States and Max Mirnyi of Belarus, 6-4, 6-4.

Serena had pulled out, earlier, from the ladies singles with a calf muscle problem.

Interestingly, it was Serena's sister Venus Williams, in tandem with James Gimelstob, who had fallen victim to the Bhupati-Lucic pair in the semifinal. The Williams-Gimelstob pair had, in the previous round, accounted for Bhupati's friend and doubles mate Leander Paes, who was seeded first in tandem with Larissa Neiland.

Quite a little merry go round, there, between the Indians and the flamboyant Williams sisters.