PAES WAVES MAGIC WAND

Leander Paes has eased past the milestone of his 40th birthday, made a car wreck of a Bollywood movie and overcome brain surgery, but nothing beats his 20-year love affair with New York. This is Paes' 20th year as a professional at the US Open, a tournament where he had already been a junior champion in 1990 and where he learned to grow up faster than other boys his age. It was a process encouraged by his father Vece, a 1972 Olympic Games bronze medalist with the Indian hockey team. The fourth seeded Indo-Czech pair demolished the second seeded Austria-Brazilian pair 6-1 in 6-3 in one hour and 12 minutes at Arthur Ashe stadium. It was a perfect climax for Paes and Stepanek, who came into the US Open with title in Winston Salem Open, as they won their second major title together, having won Australian Open last year. It was third US Open title for 40-year-old Paes and the previous two had also come with Czech partners. In 2006, the Indian won with Martin Damm and in 2009 with Lukas Dlouhy. Last year at the US Open, Paes had ended runner-up with Stepanek, losing to Bryan brothers. Now Paes has 14 major titles in his cupboard, including six mixed doubles trophies. Stepanek has two Grand Slam titles, both with Paes. It was one of the most lopsided title matches as Peya and Soares failed to put up a fight. They had no clue whatsoever on how to counter the rampaging Indo-Czech combine. Kudos to Paes and his partner for the stupendous win.