Bhupathi's hopes of eighth Grand Slam title dashed

Mahesh Bhupathi and Max Mirnyi fell at the final post when they were beaten in the final of the Wimbledon doubles by Jonas Bjorkman and Todd Woodbridge.

Todd Woodbridge of Australia and Swede Jonas Bjorkman retained their men's doubles crown at Wimbledon on Saturday, making it a record eight crowns in all for Woodbridge, who landed six with the retired Mark Woodforde.

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The fourth-seeded pair saw off top seeds Mahesh Bhupathi of India and Max Mirnyi of Belarus 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 in 2hr 39min before a three quarters full centre court crowd.

Woodbridge, a 32-year-old from Sydney, has now won 76 doubles titles in his career - making him the third most-decorated men's doubles player in history after Dutchman Tom Okker, who holds the mark of 78, and US legend John McEnroe, who won 77.

Woodbridge and Mirnyi additionally won the 2001 Australian Open playing alongside each other.

The Aussie's haul here is a joint record - but an overall record for the Open Era dating back to the dawn of professionalism in 1968.

Victorian era partners Hugh and Reggie Doherty also landed eight crowns between 1897 and 1905.

When Woodbridge, who Saturday was playing in his 18th Grand Slam doubles final, ended his association with Woodforde three seasons ago on the latter's retirement they had become the most successful ever pairing with 61 tournament wins - including 11 Grand Slams.

Bhupathi and Mirnyi, playing in their second campaign together and who won the US Open together last year, went out to the champions here 12 months ago in the quarter-finals.

Bhupathi, a 29-year-old from Madras, also won the 1999 French Open and Wimbledon doubles, as well as the 2001 French title, playing alongside Leander Paes, his compatriot before the two men fell out.

Mirnyi was a 2000 US Open doubles winner alongside Lleyton Hewitt.