Paes-Damm pair wins US Open men's doubles title

New York, Sep 10 (UNI) Leander Paes and his Czech partner Martin Damm rebounded from a set down to upset the second seeded Swedish-Belarussian pair of Jonas Bjorkman and Max Mirnyi 6-7 (5/7), 6-4, 6-3 to win their first US Open men's doubles title here.

The win gave Paes his fourth Grandslam title.

''I don't think there are enough words to express how much fun, I've actually had playing with Martin, because we're actually opposites on the court,'' a jubilant Paes said after the match.

''Martin is strong, while I'm more flashy and quick. We complement each other and it's been a fantastic year playing with him. I'd like to thank him for a wonderful year,'' he added in praise of his partner.

The opening set was a lengthy battle and had to be decided through tie-break in which Bjorkman and Mirnyi managed to seal the issue because of their powerful serve.

The sixth seeds, however, were least affected by the initial setback and staged a dramatic comeback to outplay their opponents in the next two sets.

As the match entered into the second set, it became a battle between the lanky Mirnyi -- nicknamed the beast for his ability to clear high overhead shots, and Paes, who clinched numerous points across the net.

There was hardly anything to choose between the two teams on serves, but Bjorkman and Mirnyi's 15 unforced errors and nine double faults went on to cost them dearly as Paes and Damm started getting a foothold on the proceedings.

Paes, who expressed his frustration at losing the first set by slamming his racket, pumped his fist and did some weird dance moves with Damm as the duo won the second set to draw parity with their higher seeded rivals.

As the third set got underway, fans at the Louis Armstrong Stadium were treated to some excellent tennis by the two teams and the match was being fought on an equal footing until Paes and Damm -- up 4-3 -- snatched a break point to serve for the match.

When Damm slammed an overhead winner to secure the title, the duo bounded into each other's arms to celebrate their first US Open title together.

UNI XC PM SK VP0927