Mixed response for India in Cincinnati Masters Tournament

Aug 17: The No.4 seed Indo-Czech Republic duo Martin Damm and Leander Paes have moved to the quarter-finals in the men’s doubles event of the $2,450,000 Cincinnati Masters Tournament. However, Indo-British combo Mahesh Bhupathi and Jamie Murray lost to the top seeds Bob and Mike Bryan in straight sets 3-6, 2-6.

Leander and Martin pair defeated Frenchmen Julien Benneteau and Arnaud Clement 6-4, 7-5. The combo has already won two finals in this season in Rotterdam and ATP Master Series Indian Wells. After winning the first set in 6-4, the duo took a lead in the second set with 5-2 and later in the 12 th game of the set with some good serve retains their focus to win it in 7-5. Now in the quarter-final they will face fifth seeds Paul Hanley and Kevin Ullyett.

However, Indian Mahesh Bhupathi and his newly partner Jamie Murray lost their match against the Bryan brothers who continuing their good form won a two set match convincingly with a 6-3, 6-2 win. This was also revenge against Bhupathi as Bhupathi along with his former partner Pavel Vizner had defeated the Bryan brothers in the last weeks’ Montreal semifinals.

As Jamie Murray is the new partner of Bhupathi, it may take a little more time to understand and communicate to each others game plan. However, it is not a good sign in the very beginning of their partnership career.

In another pre-quarter final match sixth seeds Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram win their match against Spanish pair Nicolas Almagro and David Ferrer 6-1, 6-4.