New Delhi: Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi have won the tennis men's doubles tennis gold medal at the XVth Asian Games in Doha on Wednesday.
They beat the identical twins pair of Sonchat Ratiwatana and Sanchai Ratiwatana from Thailand 5-7, 7-6 (9-7), 6-3 in the final to clinch the top spot.
Paes and Bhupathi went down in the first set 5-7 but came back in the second set to win it 7-6 via a tie breaker.
And after a short rain delay they went on to claim the gold by winning the third set 6-3.
The three-time Grand Slam men's doubles champions displayed great fighting spirit when they saved seven match points, including three-in-a-row, to win the gold.
Paes and Bhupathi, with their best years behind them and with their confidence dented somewhat after a spat following an unexpected loss in the team event's first round, showed in clear terms that when on song they are still strong.
The medal is Leander and Mahesh's second gold in the Asian Games. The duo had won their first gold in the Busan Asian Games four years ago.
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