It was a classic case of so-near-yet-so-far as Leander Paes and his American teammate Meghann Shaugnessy faltered in the final hurdle and finished just one step away from the mixed doubles crown in the US Open.
Playing in the Arthur Ashe stadium, Paes badly needed this crown for this was the only mixed double title that was missing from his cupboard, which is overflowing with other laurels. But his hopes were dashed as Max Mirnyi and Victoria Azarenka downed the Indo-American pair 6-4, 7-6(6) in the summit clash to walk away with the trophy.
Despite the defeat, Paes was all praise for his partner and said
Results speak. We wish to carry forward this run and Meghann is game for it. Meghann was excellent all through this tournament. I think we had a fair chance to win.
This was Paes’ second unsuccessful attempt to win the mixed doubles title in US Open. Back in 2001, Paes had another American, Lisa Raymond, as his partner and the duo had lost to Todd Woodbridge and Rennae Stubbs.
Paes has seven Grand Slam titles under his belt, including four in doubles and three in mixed doubles.
It’s not that Paes and Shaugnessy did not have their chance in the final. After losing the first set, they were leading 6-2 in the tie-break before the Indo-American duo lost the plot and allowed their rivals to crawl their way back to pocket the set and the match as well.
