Leander Paes is all set to cross swords with former partner Mahesh Bhupathi in the title clash of the US Open men's doubles event and the veteran Davis Cupper feels the team that will withstand the pressure and stay clinical would end up on the winning side.
For the first time Paes and Bhupathi will face each other in the title clash of a Grand Slam after reaching the final along with their respective partners.
"As for the final against Mahesh, we have faced each other across the net enough times and there really is no room for anything other than professionalism out there. The team that stays clinical and executes its strategy best under pressure will prevail," Paes said.
Paes is standing on the edge of double glory as he has a chance to win two Grand Slam titles in New York as he also made it to the finals of the mixed doubles event along with Cara Black of Zimbabwe and the Indian tennis ace is quite naturally elated.
"It doesn't get better than this. To make two finals in the same Slam is really special. I am feeling great physically and the hard work I put in before the hardcourt season is showing as I am as fresh as I was in the opening rounds," he said.
Talking about his high standard fitness level and performance even at the age of 36, Paes said, "For me the true greatness of a player lies in his longevity and I am glad that I playing at this level after over two decades of competitive tennis," Leander said.
Image: Leander Paes and Lukas Dlouhy
Photograph: Jay Mandal on assignment
