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[Kishore Sharma]

India's veteran tennis ace Leander Paes created history by becoming the first Indian to complete a career Grand Slam of winning all the four Major titles by winning the Australian Open men's doubles event in Melbourne on Saturday. Paes and his Czech partner Radek Stepanek thrashed world No.1 pair Mike and Bob Bryan from the US in straight sets in the final at the Rod Laver Arena.
The Indo-Czech pair, who lost to the American twins in the Sydney International tournament in the run-up to the Open, won 7-6 (7-1), 6-2.
The unseeded pair beat the top seeds in an hour and 24 minutes, excelling in court-craft and splendid net-play. Stepanek was the star, a fact acknowledged by Paes after the match, as the Czech showed some great hands at the net besides his immaculate ground strokes to deny the Bryan brothers their record sixth Australian Open title and a record 12th Grand Slam doubles title.


Photo Source:AP.Photos

[Vibhu batra]

Frankly, if Leander hadn't won the final & the doubles championship, my Australian Open would have been totally disastrous & a night mare...

The way he & Stepanek played vs Bryan Bros was so heartening to see..


For those who dont know Leander Paes, read on Wikipedia or any where else and U will be stunned....


He is now 39 years of age & has been on professional circuit for now 22 Years...


His passion for the game is like that of a 19 year old & his energy level is unmatchable....


He left Singles about 8 years back & during his peak singles days, he defeated so many high ranked players viz Goran Ivanisevic, Henri lecanto, Wayne Ferrera..


He is one of the finest Doubles players to have played the game & even, Roger during the 2008 Beijing Olympics after winning the doubles Gold had said that only after beating Leander Paes & Mahesh Bhupathi in the 3rd round did he & Stan got the confidence that they can go on & win the Gold...


If Leander manages to win the Mixed doubles title @ French Open , he will join an illustrious club of ones who have a career Grand Slam in both Men's doubles & mixed doubles.