Paes-Bhupathi clinch Masters title in Cincinnati

Shailesh Soni

India's top tennis duo of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi won their fourth title of the year when they beat Martin Damm and David Prinosil 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 in the final of the $2.95 million Tennis Masters Series doubles at Cincinnati on Sunday.

This is their first Masters title since November 1998, and fourth in all. It is also their fifth title since their reunion and the 20th ATP title as the team.

One good thing about the duo, which has not changed even after their reunion, is that they rarely lose in a final. They have won five of the six finals they have reached since their comeback almost a year back. The only loss was at the World Doubles in Bangalore in December last year.

The pair were hardly troubled by Damm and Prinosil and faced no break points in the first set. They then converted the one break point in the second set and closed out the match in an hour and 25 minutes.

Statistically, the Indians had the upperhand. They had a decent first serve percentage at 55, and for the second successive match they won all the points on their first serves. The duo won 73 points to 62 by their opponents.

Earlier on Saturday, the Indians defeated top seeds Jonas Bjorkman and Todd Woodbridge 7-6(5), 7-6(2) to enter the final.

The Indians, who also won titles in Atlanta, Houston and Roland Garros on clay so far this year, had to win three consecutive three-set matches en route to the final.

The duo will now move up to fourth place in the team rankings from the current seventh place.

While Paes takes an off the next two weeks to prepare for the US Open, Bhupathi will team up with Olympic champion Sebastien Lareau in Indianapolis.

Earlier reports:
Paes-Bhupathi rally into semis
Paes-Bhupathi in last eight
Paes-Bhupathi beat Jensens