Monday, August 13, 2001
Doubles winners aim high
Bhupathi, Paes eye Davis Cup
By Dave Schutte
Enquirer contributor
The $152,800 check and 100 ATP ranking points are important to Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes. But the doubles team from India is already looking forward to an even bigger challenge.
Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi celebrate their title
(Michael E. Keating photo)
| ZOOM |
|
“We have a lot of tennis to play during the next two months,” Paes said after Sunday's 7-6 (3), 6-3 victory over Martin Damm and David Prinosil in the Tennis Masters Series Cincinnati doubles championship match.
“We'll play together in three tournaments, including the U.S. Open, before the Davis Cup match against the United States. India has played the U.S. 10 times and never beaten them, but why not. We could do it this year.”
India and the U.S. play in a 2002 Davis Cup zone qualifier match in Winston-Salem, N.C., Sept. 21-23 with the winner advancing to the main draw.
If Syed Fazaluddin is physically unable to play, Bhupathi and Paes will be India's team.
Before Sunday's victory, Paes and Bhupathi, ranked No. 1 in the world in 1999, had won three doubles titles this season on clay surfaces, including the French Open.
“Sometimes it takes a little luck and we had it here,” Bhupathi said. “In the quarterfinals against (Jiri) Novak and (David) Riki, we survived six match points. That was the confidence-builder we needed.”
That confidence carried over into Saturday's 7-6 (5), 7-6 (2) semifinal victory over the No. 1 team in the world, Todd Wood bridge and Jonas Bjorkman. The finale was the duo's easiest.
Prinosil made no excuses, though the duo had to play a three-set, two-hour semifinal (2-6, 7-6, 7-5) early Sunday against Jeff Tarango and Nicolas Lapentti.
“We weren't tired, because we had almost two hours to rest between matches,” said Prinosil, who was playing with Damm for the fifth time. “They (Bhupathi and Paes) played well today and made all the big shots.”
Damm and Prinosil were the harder hitters with their 115 mphserves, compared to 78-95 mph for their opponents. But quickness, speed and finesse shots were the difference.
“If we stay healthy, we should win some more tournaments,” Paes said. “Both of us had surgery during the past three years and we're just now putting it together again.”
Sports Stories
Rijo's return on deck
Rockies 7, Reds 6
Soto says thanks
Davis keeps ball over the plate
Riedling rejoins bullpen
Rockies leave hoarse, happy
Reds-Cardinals Scoutign Report
Reds box, runs
Moore picks UC before other visits
Bengals' line struggles with new protection
Bengals release Carlton Gray
Coach: 'Audition' led to return TDs
Doubles winners aim high
