10-time Grand Slam winner on the verge of an unprecedented double; reaches mixed final with Sania; takes on Bryan brothers in doubles title clash.
Right on the verge of creating history, Mahesh Bhupathi appeared ice cool.
The Indian, who waltzed into the mixed doubles final of the Australian Open with Sania Mirza on Friday, seemed unperturbed with the enormity of his twin opportunities.
He has already made it to the title round in men’s doubles with Mark Knowles. In Saturday’s clash, they will take on brothers Bob and Mike Bryan.
The 10-time Grand Slam winner has never won the Australian Open men’s doubles.
This is also the Slam which has always remained elusive for his one-time teammate Leander Paes.
Mahesh, fresh from beating Czechs Iveta Benesova and Lukas Dlouhy 6-4 6-1 with Sania, said he is just enjoying himself.
“There is no pressure whatsoever,” he told DNA over the phone from Melbourne. “I don’t know about the history bit but I am enjoying myself out there…”
Asked whether there was any difference in his preparation ahead of this Major, he pinned it down to having a good off season.“There has not really been any difference as far as preparation is concerned… But I had a pretty good off season… I am not carrying any niggles, so that’s definitely a plus,” he said.
Bhupathi, the winner of six mixed doubles Grand Slam titles so far, last won the crown at Melbourne Park with Swiss Martina Hingis in 2006.
The wily veteran refused to elaborate whether Sania was his best mixed doubles partner so far. “Well… Over the years I’ve had some great partners… All champions in their own right and I have enjoyed playing with them. With Sania…We share a good chemistry on and off-court. She is also playing quite well, progressing well after her injury.”
Bhupathi, whose event management company Globosport has Sania as a client, believes this spurt will be beneficial for her singles career as well. “I’m sure with her reaching the final and going all the way would help her rhythm in singles as well,” he said.
So will it be the much-anticipated double? “Difficult to predict,” is all Mahesh was prepared to say.
Bhambri in finals too Yuki Bhambri reached the boys’ singles final with a 6-4 6-4 triumph over French seventh seed Adrien Puget. He will meet German Alexandros-Ferdinandos Georgoudas in the final on Saturday
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