WTT Washington Kastles

Leander Paes Three-Peats in Miami for 50th ATP Doubles Title

Published on April 2, 2012 under World TeamTennis (WTT)
Washington Kastles News Release


Washington Kastles' captain Leander Paes cemented his status as the hottest doubles player in the world on Saturday, winning his third straight Sony Ericsson Open championship and 50th doubles title overall.

In the Miami final, the reigning Australian Open champions Paes and Radek Stepanek defeated No. 2 seeds Max Mirnyi and Daniel Nestor 3-6, 6-1, [10-8].

Already in 2012, the quick-handed Paes has completed a career Grand Slam at the Australian Open, earned his 600th tour-level win at the BNP Paribas Open, and captured three tour-level titles -- one with Janko Tipsarevic and two with Stepanek.

"[Paes] is one of the greatest doubles players of all time -- a living legend -- and what he's capable of doing at his age is amazing," said Stepanek. "I believe it's inspirational for all the kids who are watching, all the young tennis players. I have great respect for my partner, and it's an honor to play with him."

LEANDER PAES/RADEK STEPANEK Run to Title

Rd. Seed Opponents Score

1st -- Marcos Baghdatis/Sam Querrey 6-2, 7-6(3)

2nd -- Colin Fleming/Ross Hutchins 6-4, 6-3

QF -- David Marrero/Fernando Verdasco 7-6(6), 6-4

SF 1 Bob Bryan/Mike Bryan 6-4, 6-4

F 2 Max Mirnyi/Daniel Nestor 3-6, 6-1, [10-8]

Through just four tournaments together this season, Paes and Stepanek have soared to the No. 1 spot in the ATP Doubles Team Rankings, based on all events played since January.

From the tone of their post-match press conference Saturday, they aren't showing any signs of stopping.

Paes revealed that he and Stepanek have committed to partnering through at least the end of 2013. After finishing the 1999 season as the top-ranked doubles player in the world, Paes thinks he can do the same 13 years later with the Stepanek by his side.

"We have had such a great start to this year, so it's going to make us think a little bit more about whether we really want to end this year No. 1 in the world," said the new-look Paes, sporting a bandana and longer hair. "We have put a little bit of distance between us and the rest of the teams."

With only one title left to defend this season, Paes has plenty of ranking points to gain as he tries to catch Nestor, Mirnyi and the all-time winningest team of Bob & Mike Bryan in the individual ATP Doubles Rankings, which accounts for the last 12 months of tournament play.

In Miami, Paes and the Czech star Stepanek rolled through to the final without dropping a set, highlighted by a 6-4, 6-4 semifinal victory over the top-seeded Bryans in a rematch of the Australian Open championship match.

That win put Paes in his fifth Sony Ericsson Open final overall with a fifth different partner. After he and Stepanek rallied from 1-4 down in the match tiebreak to defeat Mirnyi and Nestor for the second time this season, Paes made it clear that Stepanek is atop his most talented teammates.

"Right now I'm sitting next to one of the greatest doubles players that I have ever played with," said Paes. "Some days I could be playing great and he's having a rough day but none of us feel it. We win or lose as a team. One day he's playing great, like today, and I'm not having such a great day. He helps me come through... That's the beauty of doubles."

LEANDER PAES Sony Ericsson Open Finals

Year Partner Opponents W/L Score

2012 Stepanek Mirnyi/Nestor W 3-6, 6-1, [10-8]

2011 Bhupathi Mirnyi/Nestor W 6-7(5), 6-2, [10-5]

2010 Dlouhy Bhupathi/Mirnyi W 6-2, 7-5

2007 Damm Bryan/Bryan L 6-7(7), 6-3, [10-7]

2003 Rikl Federer/Mirnyi L 7-5, 6-3

Paes has little time to rest as he will represent the Indian Davis Cup team on indoor clay in Uzbekistan beginning Friday. He is one of five Kastles in action this week.

New Kastle Anastasia Rodionova is playing singles and doubles at the Family Circle Cup in Charleston, S.C, site of the World TeamTennis Championship Weekend. She will be joined on the Charleston green clay by 2004 champion Venus Williams and 2008 champion Serena Williams, who are both coming off quarterfinal runs in Miami.

Kastles' closer Bobby Reynolds is one championship shy of tying the all-time men's title record on the USTA Pro Circuit. He has two chances this week as he's seeded in the singles and doubles draws at the Tallahassee Tennis Challenger.

As always, you can keep up with all of the Kastles on tour by following the team on Facebook and Twitter uH3dANOxiB]. Season tickets to see the Williams sisters, Leander Paes, Rodionova sisters and Bobby Reynolds defend the Kastles' WTT title July 12-24 are on sale by calling 202-4-TENNIS.

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