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Winning the Grand Slam title on physically demanding red clay is 'special' says Indian tennis ace Leander Paes, who clinched his third French Open men's doubles trophy with Czech partner Lukas Dlouhy.
It was Paes' first Grand Slam title with Dlouhy, with whom he formed pair last year.
Paes said the victory was a result of continuous hard work and a strict fitness regime he followed.
"It's my third French Open title and its special because of the surface (clay) having grown up playing on grass in Kolkata. I had to work hard for it and I'm very gratified after putting up a lot of hard work to win on that surface," said Paes on his arrival here.
"I have worked hard with a fitness trainer, how to balance and slide on clay. It's all about staying healthy and fit," said Paes, who now has won five men's doubles Grand Slam titles and nine overall.
Paes and Dlouhy, the third seeds, outsmarted their opponents Dick Norman of Belgium and Wesley Moodie of South Africa 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the final at the Roland Garros in Paris.
The duo overcame Daniel Nestor (Canada) and Nenad Zimonjic (Serbia), the world's number one pair, in the semi finals on their way to the title.