New Delhi: Leander Paes and Martin Damm's campaign in the ATP Masters Cup started on a wrong note as they suffered an agonising loss in the opening group match in Shanghai on Sunday.
Leander Paes had been practising out of his skins to be on his prime by the time the year-end Masters Cup doubles arrived in Shanghai.
He had reason to do so, as after having won all the Grand Slams and an Olympic medal, it is only the Masters that has eluded him so far, after having made it to the final four times previously and losing each of them.
Paes and Czech Damm, who won the US Open crown in September, waged a gallant fight before going down 6-7 (6/8), 6-4, 3-6 against Australian Paul Hanley and Zimbabwe's Kevin Ullyett in the Red Group tie in two hours and 10 minutes.
Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram of Israel came up with the shock result of the day, defeating the Bryan brothers, Bob and Mike of the US 7-6 (7/2), 3-6, 6-1 in a Red Group match.
The season-ending ATP Masters Cup pits the top eight ranked players in singles and doubles.
The players are divided into Red and Blue Groups, and the best two from each group advance to the semi-finals.
Comments
0 comment