Dlouhy and Paes paired up only last year, and in a short span have almost grabbed three Grand Slam titles
Lukas Dlouhy (26) is not only far younger than his doubles partner Leander Paes (36) but is also far more inexperienced as compared to India's most-capped Davis-Cupper, who's been on the professional circuit for nearly two decades now.
|
|
YOU'RE THE MAN: Leander Paes seems to be telling Lukas Dlouhy after their US Open doubles win on Sunday. PIC/AFP |
But the fact that Dlouhy is a fast learner helped the duo excel so quickly.
Dlouhy and Paes paired up only last year, and in a short span have almost grabbed three Grand Slam titles.
Besides Sunday's US Open title, which they won beating No 3 seeds, Mahesh Bhupathi and Mark Knowles, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, Paes-Dlouhy are the reigning French Open champions and would have nearly won the US Open title last year too had they not lost in a close final 6u20137, 6u20137 to the American brothers Mike and Bob Bryan.
Patient PaesIn last year's final, Paes played liked a man possessed but unfortunately Dlouhy proved to be the weak link. The Czech played rather erroneously and many believed he succumbed to nerves. Paes however stood by his mate.
"It will take us some time to start playing some smart doubles tennis together and I'm sure we will do well next year," Paes said then.
Right enough, Dlouhy led from the front and even covered for his injured partneru00a0Paes' shoulder was hurting from an injury he suffered in a mixed doubles match a few days ago to ensure the year's last Grand Slam didn't slip out of their grip this time. Dlouhy's role becomes even more special given the fact that he recently recovered from the dreaded swine flu that had left him inactive for nearly five weeks before this year's French Open. Paes, a two-time French Open winner before this year, was actually nervous going into Roland Garros 2009. However, Dlouhy didn't let him down and duo clinched their first Grand Slam together.
At the Flushing Meadows too, Dlouhy erased any doubts of poor form or nerves by playing some big shots in the semi-final against the Bryan brothers to avenge last year's final defeat here.
"The semi-final against the Bryans was definitely very important," Leander admitted. Coming back to Sunday's game, for once it was the Indian who took a back seat and boasted about it. "Lukas played some amazing shots and came up with some very big serves too. I'm so glad I have a partner like him. I guess that's what doubles is about having a brother on court to support you."
