Leander Paes

Lukas Dlouhy and Leander Paes were the fourth team to clinch their place at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, where they will make their second straight appearance at the season climax.

2009 Review

In 15 tournaments together, they advanced to SF or better five times, highlighted by Grand Slam titles at Roland Garros (d. Moodie-Norman) and US Open (d. Bhupathi-Knowles), both by identical 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 scores. It was first two Grand Slam titles for Dlouhy and Paes has captured six in his career.

They also were finalists in Rotterdam in February (l. to Nestor-Zimonjic) and SF at the Australian Open (l. to eventual champs Bryans) and ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Monte Carlo (l. to Bryans) in April.

After US Open the duo did not play together again until November at BNP Paribas Masters in Paris prior to London (Paes took time off to rest) and they lost in opening round match. 

Finals History

Dlouhy and Paes compiled a 0-3 record at the 2008 season climax in Shanghai and failed to progress past the round-robin group stage.

Paes, 36, who first appeared with Mahesh Bhupathi at the 1997 season climax, will be making his 10th appearance (also 1998-2000, 2002, 2006-2008) with his fourth different partner. He has reached the final on four occasions in 1997, 1999-2000 (w/Bhupathi) and in 2005 (w/Zimonjic).

Won the 1990 Wimbledon Junior title and ranked as the No. 1 junior player in the world at one time before finishing No. 2. Father, Vece, was a member of the bronze medal Indian field hockey team in the 1972 Munich Olympics, and mother, Jennifer, was a member of the basketball team. Member of the Davis Cup squad since 1990 and playing captain since 2004, has a 83-31 career record in 44 ties (48-22 in singles). Won singles bronze in 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. Carried Indian flag during opening ceremonies of 2000 Sydney Olympics. In 2001, he and Bhupathi received India's highest honour, the Padma Shri, which goes to Indian citizens in recognition of their distinguished service to nation (equivalent of American Medal of Honor or British Knighthood). Captured gold medal in doubles at Asian Games (w/Bhupathi) in December 2006.

1996 -- Won singles bronze medal in Atlanta Olympics (d. Meligeni), first medal for India since 1980 and first individual medal since 1952.

1997 -- Won six titles (w/Bhupathi). Earned a career-high $888,240.

1998 -- First Indian to finish in singles Top 100 and win a title since Krishan in 1990. Won Newport singles title (d. Godwin) and six doubles titles (w/Bhupathi).

1999 -- Won three titles, including Roland Garros and Wimbledon (w/Bhupathi). First team to reach finals of all four Slams in same year since 1952. Finished as No. 1 ranked team and No. 1 individually.

2000 -- Won two titles and was runner-up at ATP World Doubles Chp. in Bangalore (w/Bhupathi). Tore tendon in right wrist at Roland Garros and missed three months.

2001 -- Won four titles, including Roland Garros, to finish No. 4 (w/Bhupathi). Posted a 5-1 singles record in Davis Cup, 3-0 in doubles.

2002 -- Won two titles (w/Bhupathi).

2003 -- Won three titles in five finals. Finished No. 7 in ATP Doubles Race with two titles (w/Rikl). Missed final four months with a non-malignant brain lesion.

2004 -- Won four titles and reached two finals. Advanced to SF at Athens Olympics (w/Bhupathi).

2005 -- Won two titles in five finals and finished No. 6 in ATP Doubles Race (w/Zimonjic). Runner-up at Tennis Masters Cup.

2006 -- Won fourth Grand Slam crown at US Open (w/Damm) along with title at 's-Hertogenbosch.Also reached Australian Open final (l. to Bryans) and finished No. 6 in Doubles Race.

2007 -- Finished at No. 6 in ATP Doubles Race with two titles -- Rotterdam, AMS Indian Wells (w/Damm). Qualified for Tennis Masters Cup and reached SF for second straight year.

2008 -- The veteran Indian improved his ATP Doubles Ranking to year-end No. 10 and captured his 40th ATP doubles title. Played first nine events with Australian Paul Hanley. Joined forces with Czech Lukas Dlouhy at Roland Garros. Reached finals in Halle and 's-Hertogenbosch. Made SF at Wimbledon and AMS Toronto. Reached ninth career Slam final at US Open (4-5). Clinched 40th title in Bangkok. Reached final in Tokyo. Finished No. 8 in ATP Doubles Race (25-13 together) and qualified for Tennis Masters Cup (0-3 in round robin play).

2009

The Indian qualified for the season-ending championship for the second straight year (w/Lukas Dlouhy)...In 15 tournaments together, they advanced to SF or better five times, highlighted by Grand Slam titles at Roland Garros (d. Moodie-Norman) and US Open (d. Bhupathi-Knowles), both by identical 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 scores...It was first two Grand Slam titles for Dlouhy and Paes has captured six in his career...They also were finalists in Rotterdam in February (l. to Nestor-Zimonjic) and SF at the Australian Open (l. to eventual champs Bryans) and ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Monte Carlo (l. to Bryans) in April...After US Open the duo did not play together again until November at BNP Paribas Masters in Paris prior to London (Paes took time off to rest) and they lost in opening round match.