The Indo-Czech pair of Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek became the champions of the US Open 2013 overcoming the barrier of the second-seeded Soares-Peya pair. The runner-up pair of 2012 US Open took just 1 hour and 12 minutes to establish a comprehensive 6-1, 6-3 victory over Soares-Peya pair and emerge the undisputed champion.
Leander, who turned forty few days, partnering Radek Stepanek went into the match with a moral boosting victory over the top-seeded Bryan brothers after getting a set down in the semifinal. They carried on from where they left as they raced on to a 5-0 lead in the first set. The Indo-Czech pair took the first set 6-1 in just 24 minutes when Leander served it out after their opponent had their first hold of the match in the sixth game.
The Soares-Peya pair began to show some kind of resistance as the game moved on to the second set. However, their resistance did not last long as the fourth-seeded pair broke their service in the ninth game of the set. From then onwards it was one way traffic as Paes and Stepanek outplayed their opponent in every department of the game. To worsen the situation, Austrian Alexander Peya buckled under pain in the fifth game. He had to take a medical time out when he received treatment on-court. He returned to court but could never get back to his best.
It was Leander’s 14th doubles Grand slam title and second partnering Stepanek. While Paes ruled the court with some power serves and delicate drop shots at the net, it was Stepanek’s ground strokes that left their opponent flummoxed. With Leander getting younger at 40 and gaining miraculous fitness, he promises to bring more glory to the country in the coming years.
Tags: Leander Paes Paes-Stepanek Paes-Stepanek wins US open Radek Stepanek US Open US Open 2013 Us open doubles title
