Sunday, August 12, 2001
Indian doubles team beats top seeds
By Neil Schmidt and Michael Perry
The Cincinnati Enquirer
MASON - Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes are almost royalty back home in India, where in February they were given the Padma Shree Award — the country's highest citizen's honor, equivalent to being knighted. They'd much rather be kings on the court.
With their 7-6 (5), 7-6 (2) Tennis Masters Series Cincinnati semifinal victory Saturday over the world's top-ranked team, Todd Woodbridge and Jonas Bjorkman, they continue their chase toward reclaiming the No.1 ranking.
“It's just a matter of persevering, of trying to find that (No. 1) form,” Paes said.
|
TODAY'S GUIDE
|
• 11 a.m.: Doubles semifinal on grandstand court.
• 11:30 a.m.: Kuerten vs. Henman resumes.
• 1 p.m.: Singles final.
• Doubles final follows singles.
• Television: 1-3 p.m., CBS (live)
|
Bhupathi and Paes will play the winner of today's 11 a.m. semifinal between Jeff Tarango-Nicolas Lapentti and Martin Damm-David Prinosil, originally scheduled for Saturday night, but postponed because of rain. The doubles final is scheduled to follow today's 1 p.m. singles final.
The Indian duo finished 1999 as the world's top-ranked team. They reached the finals in all four Grand Slams — the first such accomplishment in 47 years — winning the French Open and Wimbledon. Then the injuries began.
Bhupathi, 27, underwent shoulder surgery in late 1999 and missed five months of action. Paes, 28, tore a tendon in his wrist, missing seven months of action, and still has a troublesome hip. They reunited last fall.
“It was almost like starting over again, especially when it was so close (timewise) to when we were doing well,” Paes said. “It's in the memory bank. We just have to bring it out again.”
They have been inconsistent this year, winning the French Open as an unseeded team but then dropping a first-round match at Wimbledon. They showed resolve Friday by saving six match points against David Rikl and Jiri Novak, rallying to win a 14-12 second-set tiebreak that turned the match around.
“We want to build our confidence this year and make a charge (for No. 1) in 2002,” Bhupathi said.
Their success this week has vaulted them from seventh to fourth in the season-long ATP Champions Race.
Sports Stories
Reds 7, Rockies 3
Graves might be starter next year
Young producing in sixth spot
Reese misses fourth game to illness
Reds honor Super Mario
Rijo pitches for Louisville today
Forged autographs cost collectors dearly
Bobbleheads a hit with sports fans, collectors
Janszen: Here's my story on Pete Rose
Five Questions with Eric Davis
Fan's eye view of the Reds
Reds box, runs
Bengals QBs need more help from line
Indian doubles team beats top seeds
