Good news from Oz at last: Leander wins men’s doubles

More laurels await Paes. On Sunday, the most successful Indian tennis player ever has a shot at the mixed doubles title too as he partners Russian Elena Vesnina to take on Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Horia Tecau. Tennis fraternity hails Paes | Keeping pace with Leander | Match stats

At 38, there’s nothing old about the fist-pumping, body-slamming champion that is Leander Paes. While most of his contemporaries have either retired or ventured into other businesses, he keeps on winning.

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Saturday at Melbourne Park was no different. Paes picked up his first Australian Open men’s doubles crown, with Czech mate Radek Stepanek. But his seventh Grand Slam was extra special — it completed his career slam.

The score line read 7-6, 6-2 at the end of 84 minutes. Amazing, considering the unseeded pair was up against the top-ranked American twins, Bob and Mike Bryan — just a match away from a record 12th Grand Slam.

“They’re going to be tough this year. They will be a top four team and we’ll probably be playing them a lot,” said Bob Bryan.

Going into Saturday’s game, Paes was a three-time Australian Open finalist — losing twice to the Bryan brothers.

More laurels await Paes. On Sunday, the most successful Indian tennis player ever has a shot at the mixed doubles title as he partners Russian Elena Vesnina to take on Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Horia Tecau.