Roger Federer is no longer the only five-time champion in Dubai after Mahesh Bhupathi won his fifth doubles title in the Emirate with as many partners.
Bhupathi and Parisian Michael Llodra beat No3 seeds Robert Lindstedt of Sweden and Nenad Zimonjic of Serbia 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (8/6) in one hour and 41 minutes on Saturday to win a title on their partnership debut.
In front of a full house on Centre Court at the Aviation Club, the Dubai crowd was in electric form, the same way they had been seven days ago when India’s Sania Mirza won the women’s doubles title with Bethanie Mattek-Sands, and Bhupathi admits the support is a huge help.
“For me it’s like playing at home here. I’ve got so many friends and family (here). I used to live here for so many years. It’s great to come back,” said the 38-year-old from Chennai, who won his first title of the season.
“The Indian support is obviously tremendous. Playing on that court before the final, it’s an amazing atmosphere. We don’t get that much.”
Llodra, whose previous best showing in Dubai was a semi-final appearance alongside Zimonjic in 2011, joked that it was a calculated decision to partner with Bhupathi in Dubai, where the Indian veteran is bound to have a lot of support.
“I knew before I came here, if I have to play with one guy I have to play with an Indian, because in Dubai there are so many Indians,” said Llodra with a laugh. “No, it was great. It’s unbelievable to play in this stadium. It was full.
"Unbelievable atmosphere. So that’s why we play tennis, to play this kind of match. Of course if you can win it, it’s better.
“You have to take point by point. It’s always difficult, you know. I don’t know how many points we played together today, but it was tight. First tiebreak they were 6‑3 up. Second tiebreak 5‑3 up. So you have to be ready every time.
“But today was the key. We stayed focused until the end.”
It was Llodra’s 25th doubles title and the 32-year-old said it’s particularly a special triumph because it means he’s closing in on Guy Forget’s total of 27, and apparently the French duo have a bet between them.
“I’m close to Guy Forget now.He has 27, now I’m 25.
“You have to play more with me,” Llodra told Bhupathi.
After a successful week together, Bhupathi and Llodra will part ways as both have separate targets for Indian Wells. Llodra will be playing only in the singles category in California while Bhupathi awaits his full-time partner Daniel Nestor, whose wife is expecting.
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