Chennai Open: Paes-Damm pair starts new partnership

Grand slam winner Leander Paes began his new partnership with Martin Damm of the Czech on a winning note as the top seeded duo crossed the first hurdle defeating unseeded combine of Ahsley Fisher (Australia) and Justin Gimelstob (USA) to move into the quarterfinals of the Chennai Open here tonight.

Grand slam winner Leander Paes began his new partnership with Martin Damm of the Czech on a winning note as the top seeded duo crossed the first hurdle defeating unseeded combine of Ahsley Fisher (Australia) and Justin Gimelstob (USA) to move into the quarterfinals of the Chennai Open in Chennai on Monday night.

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Paes and Damm rallied from a set down and claimed the match 4-6 7-6 (3) 10-3 in a thrilling and quick end, proving right the ATP decision to bring in changes in the format for doubles. The match ended in around 105 minutes.

Paes, who last year partnered Serbian Nenad Zimonjic, and Damm taught a few lessons to their rivals on how to bring out the best at crunch situations as the two combined well and prevailed over in the two successive tie-breaks, first in the second set and then in the match tie-break, the latter came into being from this season.

Paes, who rose to fame with his first doubles title here in 1997 with Mahesh Bhupathi, was in his elements as he time and again came up with winners and also showed good judgement in calling out the long balls in advance and attacking when needed.

The Australian and American played better initially and tasted success in the 10th game when Damm made a double fault and then Gimelstob brought off a superb return as they took the set in 37 minutes.

But once the top seeds shifted to top gears, the rivals found the going tough and had to play a waiting game. Both the teams banked heavily on serve and volleying. The Indian- Czech duo had a good opportunity to break the rivals in the ninth game with Gimelstob serving. Paes in fact set up the break points with a solid return, but they failed to convert.