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Paes-Bhupati take Singapore Open

A day after their recent run of triumphs elevated them to the number four spot in ATP's world doubles rankings -- one place up from the fifth spot they occupied last week -- the Indian pair of Mahesh Bhupati and Leander Paes clinched the Singapore Open with a fine win over Rick Leach and Jonathan Stark of the United States.

The 6-4, 6-4 win in the final of the $650,000 tournament was the duo's sixth title this year -- easily the finest run by any Indian pair in tennis history.

One break of serve is all it took for the duo, who pocketed $45,000 for the win. Which, coming a week after the duo annexed the China Open, puts them into the Phoenix-ATP World Doubles Championships later this year.

Interestingly, the win also helps both players find a place in the world's top ten in individual rankings. Bhupati in fact cracked the top ten last week, and Paes will also join the elite list when the ATP's latest rankings are released later this week.