Having broken the losing streak with the title triumph at China Open, Mahesh Bhupathi is all set to rework his winning partnership with Mario Ancic at the Mumbai Open next week.
It has been a disappointing year for Bhupathi, who has struggled to find a partner after parting ways with South African Wesley Moodie with whom he had planned to play this season.
But things seem to finally change for the better with the victory in Beijing on Sunday.
It almost would not have been, if not for an injury to American Justin Gimelstob with whom Bhupathi was to take the courts here.
"I was actually supposed to play with Justin Gimelstob but he was injured. So I called Mario on Friday morning (Sept 8) and he was already here. So I asked him if wanted to play and he said yes," Bhupathi said after winning the title.
Bhupathi and Ancic defeated Michael Berrer of Germany and Kenneth Carlsen of Denmark 6-4, 6-3 in the doubles final of the USD 475,000 ATP Tour event.
The two were teaming for the first time and it was the Croatian's first doubles crown this year as well.
"Mario is a great tennis player and he is top ten in the world. It is lucky that both of us mixed well the first time we played together," Bhupathi said.
"Hopefully, we can play together a few more times. We really enjoyed it. I will be playing with Mario in Mumbai. So I am looking forward to it," the Indian star added.
The Mumbai Open starts on September 25.
"I think we played very high quality tennis during the two sets. We had the break points in both sets. So we played really well and it is always nice to play well in a final," he said.
The duo were 81 per cent on their first serves and also managed to save two break points en route to their straight sets victory.
"My career is playing doubles. I am practicing all the time. So I am expected to play well," the Bangalorean said.
On Sania Mirza's fortune at Sunfeast Open in Kolkata, Bhupathi said "let us hope she does well."
Sania will face Indian qualifier Rushmi Chakravarthi in the first round.
