Bhupathi looks forward to World doubles meet

Fresh from the doubles triumph at the Japan Open, Mahesh Bhupathi on Tuesday struck an optimistic note about he and Leander Paes repeating their performance in the World doubles championship, to be held in Bangalore from December 13 to 17.

"It will not be easy for any pair to beat us in front of the home crowd," Bhupathi told reporters at the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association stadium, the venue for the season-ending event.

Bhupathi said: "We are excited about having got an opportunity to play in Bangalore. We have to get our rhythm back and have four more tournaments to go before the mega event."

He said he and Leander Paes are practising "pretty hard". As they had not played together for a long time, he said, "It takes time to settle down. We are sure to come good in front of our home crowd and are sure contenders for the medal."

When asked whom does he rates the toughest pair, Bhupathi said, "We haven't beaten any top players this year. We will take one match at a time but it will not be easy for any one to go all out in front of the home crowd.

"Both of us suffered from injuries and we are getting back to shape. It will never be the same as what it was. Things are going right and hope the same will continue."

On the pair's performance at the Sydney Olympics, Bhupathi said they gave their best but "definitely lost to the best pair in the world", for which he has "no regrets."