Paes, Stepanek take men’s doubles
Australian tennis heroes Mark Woodforde and Todd Woodbridge remain in the record books – thanks to Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek winning the Australian Open men’s doubles final on Saturday night.
India’s Paes and Czech Stepanek beat Bob and Mike Bryan of the United States 7-6 (7-1) 6-2 in the final at Rod Laver Arena to stop the American duo winning a record-breaking 12th grand slam men’s doubles title.
Instead they remain tied with Australia’s now-retired Woodforde and Woodbridge.
Paes and Stepanek broke open what had been a high-quality, first set arm-wrestle with a dominant tie-break win over the Bryans.
After games went on serve for the entire set as both pairings swapped incredible reflex shots, Paes powered up a gear in the tie-break as the duo crushed the Americans 7-1.
They then broke Bob Bryan’s serve to take a 2-0 second set lead – Paes again producing some clever strokeplay and sharp reflexes throughout the set.
As the Bryans had a rare break point at 2-4 down, it was Paes’ slick volley which erased it, and he and Stepanek were able to close out the match in one hour and 24 minutes.
It is 38-year-old Paes’ seventh grand slam men’s doubles title and 33-year-old Stepanek’s first.
Paes has the chance to win a second Australian title this year when he teams with Russia’s Elena Vesnina in the mixed doubles final on Sunday against American Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Horia Tecau of Romania.
The victory fills in the only gap in Paes’ glittering grand slam doubles resume – the Australian men’s title.
Paes credited his ability to pick “great partners” for his success, believing his connection with Stepanek and their hard work on the Czech’s net game and reflex volleys leading up to Saturday night’s final laid the platform for victory.
“The key to doubles is having almost like an umbilical cord connecting you – especially at the net – and we did that well today,” Paes said.
“When you play doubles, you become each other’s brothers, you become each other’s friends.
“The honesty he has with me is the singlemost ingredient to greatness.”
Stepanek said: “From the first moment we played together we had a great connection.
“We have great respect for each other as persons.
“The only thing he was missing was the Australian Open and I said I will give you everything to help you achieve this goal.”
© AAP 2012Recommend this story.
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